Press release issued by Orange & Rockland. ‍Check out NBC 4 New York's recent TV news segment to learn more about this exciting new program directly from a participating driver.

PEARL RIVER, NY September 23, 2025 – With National Drive Electric Month in first gear, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), in collaboration with WeaveGrid, has launched a program that offers its electric vehicle (EV) customers a personalized smart schedule to automatically charge their vehicles when it’s least expensive, all while putting less stress on the electric grid during peak demand.

WeaveGrid, a San Francisco-based software development company specializing in EV-grid integration solutions for utilities, worked with O&R to develop its FlexCharge Rewards Program. The program utilizes WeaveGrid’s proprietary Distribution-Integrated Smart Charging Orchestration (DISCO) software to coordinate charging schedules for customers who are grouped based on their location in the grid system or other relevant parameters to produce a balanced load on the electric distribution assets. 

Through FlexCharge, a customer’s daily smart schedule is determined by their vehicle’s charging needs, their electric rate, and a variety of dynamic factors, including energy cost, grid stress, and when other electric vehicles in the area are charging.     

Once enrolled, customers simply set their target battery level and ready-by time through WeaveGrid’s web portal. After that, customers can just plug in their EV every day and their car will be ready when needed. Smart schedules can also be overridden at any time if customers need to charge their vehicle at their convenience.

FlexCharge was made possible by a $1 million grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Vehicle Grid Integration Program. The program’s goal is to advance technologies that can help integrate EVs efficiently into the electric grid. 

“For years, O&R has been at the forefront of New York’s electric vehicle goals, exceeding expectations of customer enrollment in company programs and connecting residential and commercial customers with the charging infrastructure they need,” said Michele O’Connell, O&R president and CEO. “Thanks to our partnership with WeaveGrid, O&R’s first of its kind FlexCharge Rewards Program now lets the company work with customers on tailored charging schedules that allows them to save money while also placing less stress on the electric grid.”

"We're thrilled to partner with Orange & Rockland to launch the innovative FlexCharge Rewards program," said Apoorv Bhargava, CEO of WeaveGrid. "FlexCharge Rewards represents a significant step forward in EV-grid integration, using our DISCO software to automatically optimize when customers charge their vehicles based on real-time grid conditions and energy costs. This collaboration demonstrates how utilities and technology companies can work together to make driving an EV more affordable for customers while supporting a clean and reliable grid. Programs like this are essential as we accelerate toward a clean transportation future.” 

Outreach to residential EV customers in the O&R service territory is underway, and customers can enroll by visiting the O&R FlexCharge Rewards Program homepage. By enrolling, customers receive a $50 enrollment gift card, a $25 anniversary incentive if they remain in the program for at least a year, automated charging during the best, lowest cost times, a personalized dashboard with live charging tips, a weekly home charging cost tracker, and tailored insights emailed directly to them.

EV drivers who charge at home in the O&R service area may enroll in the FlexCharge Rewards Program with a qualified Tesla vehicle or ChargePoint, Emporia, or Wallbox home charging station. FlexCharge is risk-free, and customers can opt-out at any time.

FlexCharge has also been extended to commercial customers as part of a pilot program. The program is looking for sites within the O&R service area with at least two chargers to participate. Sites that utilize ChargePoint chargers or Tesla vehicles for their fleet or employee charging are eligible to participate. Companies who enroll in the pilot will receive $200 per qualified port or vehicle utilized in the program. Interested commercial customers are encouraged to visit the program registration site.      

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About O&R

Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies. O&R is a regulated utility that provides electric service to approximately 300,000 customers in southeastern New York State (where its franchise name is Orange and Rockland Utilities) and northern New Jersey (where it’s Rockland Electric Company), and natural gas service to approximately 140,000 customers in New York.  

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About WeaveGrid

WeaveGrid works with utilities, automakers, EVSEs, and EV owners to enable and accelerate the electrification of transportation. Using machine learning, optimization, and predictive analytics, WeaveGrid’s software solves several EV-grid integration challenges for utilities in a systems-oriented manner; helps integrate renewable energy resources on the grid; and saves utility customers money on their bills. WeaveGrid’s vision is to drive the rapid decarbonization at the intersection of transportation and energy by intelligently connecting EVs to the grid.

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Media Contact: 

Vito Signorile
(914) 546-7200
SignorileV@oru.com