Managing the Load: Commercial vs. Residential EV Charging

As EV adoption steadily climbs, utilities are preparing for the load. But not all EV charging demand is created equal. While residential charging tends to follow predictable patterns and can often be managed with simple time-of-use rates and smart thermostats, commercial properties present an entirely different challenge for grid management. Let’s break it down.

Residential vs. Commercial: A Tale of Two Grid Load Profiles

‍

Residential strategies are often simple and consumer-friendly. For example, managed EV charging programs allow utilities to control the timing and rate of EV charging to optimize grid performance or lower costs. Home battery storage, which is being adopted in a growing number of US households, adds flexibility with programs such as virtual power plants. When these tools are integrated through a home energy management system (HEMS), homeowners can easily monitor and adjust their usage to support the grid and reduce their electricity costs.

Commercial properties, on the other hand, can require deeper integration with more advanced systems that can monitor, predict, and respond to dynamic load conditions in real time. These strategies focus on minimizing demand charges, maximizing energy efficiency, and leveraging on-site generation and storage to reduce grid reliance. 

Layering EV chargers on top of these existing commercial systems adds a whole new dimension of complexity. Unlike residential properties, where one or two chargers typically suffice, commercial and multifamily buildings can require dozens or even hundreds. These chargers introduce a significant, often simultaneous load that can quickly overwhelm local transformers, exceed demand thresholds, and trigger expensive infrastructure upgrades. So this is where AmpUp comes in. 

AmpUp’s Adapt Program: Real-Time Relief for the Grid

AmpUp developed its Adapt Pilot Program in Connecticut to address commercial EV charging stress with smart software. Here’s how it works:

• Program Participation: The Adapt program uniquely enrolls publicly shared and commercial EV chargers by incentivizing site hosts to keep their ports active from day one, while empowering drivers with complete control to opt out of participation at any time.
• Real-Time Load Management: AmpUp collaborates closely with grid administrators to pinpoint instances where reducing demand is most crucial due to high demand.
• Driver Incentives: Through the "Adapt & Earn" feature, EV drivers get point of sale rebates in the form of wallet credits—and drivers get reimbursed as soon as the charging session ends—to avoid charging during peak hours by letting AmpUp pause charging. Drivers can resume charging at any point and are always in control. But drivers stay in control—they can always opt out.
• Utility Dashboard: A live dashboard shows utilities how much energy is being shifted, who’s participating, and how much incentive money is being spent.

"The live dashboard includes participating drivers, incentives disbursed to drivers and site hosts, and total peak energy shifted," says Ayush Garg, lead program manager, utility managed charging at AmpUp.

Since launching in April, AmpUp Adapt has shifted about 2 MWh of EV charging away from peak times across more than 400 charging sessions. That’s real load flexibility, delivered in real time.

The Bigger Picture: Commercial Grid Optimization Needs Smarter Tools

While residential EV charging can often be handled with a few nudges and price signals, commercial buildings need active, data-driven load management. Think building management systems, real-time pricing, on-site solar and storage, and aggregated demand response.

AmpUp’s smart charging solutions plug right into this ecosystem. For commercial properties, that means:

• Avoiding expensive transformer upgrades
• Offering EV charging as a competitive amenity
• Supporting overall grid stability
  
  

Why Utilities Should Care

As utilities plan for the future, commercial and industrial, and multifamily EV charging are areas that can't be ignored. Without proper management, these high-density sites could cause grid stress and reliability issues. But with programs like AmpUp Adapt, utilities gain a trusted partner in flattening peaks, avoiding outages, and delivering a better experience for everyone connected to the grid.

Key Takeaways for Utilities

• One size doesn’t fit all: Residential and commercial EV charging demand very different grid management strategies.
• Multifamily buildings blur the lines: While tenants behave like residential users, the infrastructure and scale are commercial.
• Smart software is essential: Tools like AmpUp’s Adapt Program allow real-time control, load shifting, and real-time visibility into the program.
• Partnerships matter: Utilities require flexible and responsive partners to manage the growing demand for electric vehicles and prevent costly infrastructure upgrades.
  
  

EV adoption isn’t slowing down. With the right tools, smart charging doesn’t just ease the strain - it unlocks a more flexible, resilient energy future.