Connecticut’s PURA Selects AmpUp to Scale Adapt & Earn Managed EV Charging Statewide

AmpUp, a provider of electric vehicle charging management solutions with offices in East Hartford, Connecticut, announced that the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has selected its Adapt & Earn managed charging initiative for statewide expansion. The program was the only project chosen for large-scale deployment among four pilot projects evaluated during the first cycle of Connecticut’s Innovative Energy Solutions (IES) Program.

Under a July 1, 2026 decision issued by PURA in Docket No. 22-08-07, AmpUp and Connecticut’s electric utilities have been invited to develop a proposal for a statewide managed charging program. The initiative could extend managed charging services to public and shared EV charging stations across Connecticut.

Adapt & Earn was designed to address a key obstacle in managed charging programs: the separation between EV drivers and the utility accounts associated with public charging stations. Rather than relying on vehicle telematics, complex enrollment processes, or additional hardware, AmpUp integrated incentives directly into its charging platform. Drivers participating in the program simply agreed to brief charging interruptions during periods of peak electricity demand and received instant rewards through the AmpUp mobile app.

“The IES Program was designed to find innovations that deliver real, measurable benefits to Connecticut ratepayers, and AmpUp’s project did exactly that,” said PURA Vice Chairman David Arconti, Jr. “By demonstrating that public EV charging can serve as a flexible grid resource at a fraction of the cost of traditional peaking resources, this project charts a path toward a more affordable, reliable grid as EV adoption grows.”

“Historically, managed charging has been confined to private garages and individual utility bills. We demonstrated its viability at public charging stations, where drivers have no direct relationship with the utility, proving that drivers will participate if the process is seamless and the compensation is efficient,” stated David Jackson, COO of AmpUp. “Our selection as the sole Cycle 1 pilot to scale reflects the dedication of our team, our collaboration with Eversource and PURA, and the Connecticut drivers who demonstrated that EVs are the most flexible load ever plugged into the grid. The IES program proved what’s possible; now we scale it.”

The 18-month pilot, conducted in partnership with Eversource Energy, included more than 1,000 charging ports at approximately 200 locations across eight commercial customer segments. According to PURA and an independent evaluation, the project delivered significant benefits.

During a regional heatwave, the program successfully shifted charging activity away from peak demand periods, providing valuable grid support when wholesale electricity prices surged by more than 3,600%. The demand reduction was achieved at roughly one-third the cost of the peak electricity supply it replaced.

Driver satisfaction was also strong. Ninety-one percent of participants reported no inconvenience from charging pauses, while 87% said the enrollment and participation process was simple and intuitive. Additionally, 83% indicated they would participate again. Multifamily housing locations performed particularly well, achieving a 33% driver participation rate.

The pilot also recorded 100% enrollment among site hosts with no participants opting out. Equity goals were another key outcome, with 42% of funding for new charging installations directed toward environmental justice communities.

AmpUp noted that these results build on findings released in September 2025, when the pilot demonstrated grid relief that was three times more efficient than a traditional peaker power plant.

Founded in 2018, AmpUp provides EV charging software and management solutions that help businesses and property owners deploy and operate charging infrastructure. The company serves more than 2,500 customers across 75 North American markets and maintains offices in Santa Clara, California, and Hartford, Connecticut. Its customers include JLL, CBRE, Domino’s Pizza, Goodyear, Under Armour, and Hilton.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Statewide Managed Charging an Important Breakthrough

Projects like AmpUp’s Adapt & Earn pilot highlight an often-overlooked advantage of electric vehicles: EVs are not just a cleaner transportation technology, they can also help strengthen the electric grid.

For years, utilities have relied on expensive peaker plants and other costly resources to meet spikes in electricity demand during heatwaves and other periods of peak consumption. These resources often sit idle for much of the year, yet ratepayers still bear the cost of maintaining them. AmpUp’s Connecticut pilot demonstrated that public EV charging stations can provide a smarter and more affordable alternative.

By temporarily shifting EV charging away from peak demand periods, the program reduced strain on the grid during a regional heatwave when wholesale electricity prices skyrocketed. According to project findings, the grid support provided by managed charging was delivered at roughly one-third the cost of the peak electricity supply it replaced. That is a significant achievement and a glimpse into how transportation electrification can benefit everyone, not just EV drivers.

The success of the pilot is particularly important because it focused on public and shared charging infrastructure. Unlike home charging, public charging often serves drivers who do not have a direct relationship with the utility. AmpUp’s platform overcame this challenge by making participation simple and rewarding drivers directly through the charging app. The overwhelming majority of participants reported little or no inconvenience, proving that flexible charging can work in the real world.

As EV adoption continues to grow, utilities and policymakers will need innovative tools to maintain reliability while keeping costs under control. Managed charging programs offer a practical solution by turning EV charging demand into a flexible resource that can respond to grid conditions in real time.

The Connecticut project shows that public EV charging can do more than power vehicles. It can help create a more affordable, reliable, and resilient electric grid. Rather than viewing EVs as a burden on the grid, programs like Adapt & Earn demonstrate that they can become an important part of the solution. Kudos and congratulations to the stellar AmpUp team.