Ivy’s new all-in-one home and public charging solution bundles installation of a Level 2 home charger with access to the company’s fast-charging network in Ontario for one monthly fee

Ivy Charging Network is creating a more seamless charging experience for electric vehicle users with the launch of a monthly subscription product that bundles at-home and on-the-road public charging in one offering.

Ivy, a joint venture between Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One, currently offers fast charging at more than 55 public charging stations across Ontario. Its new product, called Ivy Home, includes a Level 2 smart EV home charger, equipment installations and special access to that public network.

“At Ivy, we’re committed to helping customers make the switch to an electric vehicle by providing simple, intuitive, and reliable charging solutions,” says Michael Kitchen, general manager at Ivy Charging Network in a press note.

“With nearly 90 per cent of EV charging happening at home, we are simplifying home charging with a one-stop solution. Customers pick their charger, and monthly plan and we’ll take care of the rest.”

Flexible options

The made-in-Ontario Ivy Home charger has charging speeds of up to 10 kW.

In addition, the charger connects via Wi-Fi. Owners of the chargers will be able to manage charges both at home and at public stations using the Ivy app. For example, users can set up smart charging that can take advantage of off-peak electricity rates to save on electricity bills and help alleviate pressures on the grid.

“As a smart charger, Ivy Home allows customers to monitor the progress of their charging session in real-time, create a charging schedule, track energy consumption, and perform updates and diagnostics all through the Ivy Charging Network app,” says a spokesperson for Ivy in an email to Electric Autonomy.

The charger is compatible with all EV models. 

Ivy Home customers have a choice of two public fast-charging subscription plans. The “Home & Roam Essential” plan gets customers 300 minutes of fast-charging at Ivy Charge & Go locations per year for $6 a month. Or, the “Home & Roam Unlimited” plan, which, for an additional $15 per month, includes unlimited use of fast-charging at Ivy Charge & Go locations.

Customers can also decide not to add a public fast-charging plan to their Ivy Home service.

Eligibility limited to certain markets

To be eligible for Ivy Home, customers must own a detached, semi-detached or townhouse property, have access to parking and a driveway and have a 200-amp electrical panel.

In order to take part in Ivy Home, customers will need to complete an application online, detailing the vehicle they drive and their home set-up.

Once approved, customers can pay a flat fee upfront for the charger and installation ($2,929) or choose either a three- or five-year monthly hardware payment plan ($93.99 or $57.99 per month, respectively).

Under the plan, the charger comes with a three-year warranty and ongoing customer support. 

Ivy will also arrange for the installation of the charging equipment by a licensed electrical contractor. This guarantees that customers’ chargers are set up safely and properly, according to provincial regulations. 

Ivy Home is currently being launched in phases, starting with the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Ivy plans to expand the program beyond the GTHA in “the near future,” says the spokesperson.

Government support

Ivy received $922,934 in funding from Natural Resources Canada’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstration Program to launch Ivy Home.

With this investment, the government says it expects the project to yield several benefits for EV owners, including “enabling a simple, seamless charging experience at home and in public that requires no upfront cost for home charger installation, saves on electricity bills through demand management, and provides access to an extensive network of public charging options.”

The project is also expected to boost EV adoption.

“We’re making electric vehicles more affordable and charging more accessible where Canadians live, work and play,” says Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of Natural Resources in the press release.

“Investing in more EV chargers will put more Canadians in the driver’s seat on the road to a net-zero future and help achieve our climate goals.”

More information on Ivy Home is here.