FlexCharge rewards you for charging your EV during off-peak hours, when energy demand is lower, with no additional effort required. Simply set your preferences and plug in while the program manages your charging.
Participation is simple, with flexible settings designed to support your needs and get the most out of your home charging experience, while helping ensure your vehicle is ready when you need it. Enrollment is quick and takes just a few minutes.
WeaveGrid is a technology company that specializes in EV smart charging software. Ameren Illinois has partnered with WeaveGrid to power the FlexCharge program's automated smart charging platform.
WeaveGrid acts as the technology implementor of FlexCharge managing the connection between your EV or EVSE and Ameren's program, creating your optimized charging schedules, sending you SMS notifications, and administering your participation incentive payments through their disbursement partner, Choice Digital.
Ameren Illinois oversees the program and is responsible for your electric account, rate plan, and program eligibility. For platform-specific questions (scheduling, device connections, incentive payments, dashboard features), contact WeaveGrid Support. For questions about your Ameren account, rates, or billing, contact Ameren Customer Service.
ChargeReady and FlexCharge are separate but complementary programs that serve different purposes in your EV journey.
ChargeReady is an infrastructure incentive program for eligible customers in qualifying Equity Investment Eligible Communities (EIECs) and Low-Income (LI) areas, covering up to 100% of the cost of Level 2 charging equipment and installation. ChargeReady helps you get set up with home charging infrastructure.
FlexCharge is a smart charging management program. Once your charger is installed, FlexCharge helps you optimize when you charge by automatically scheduling your EV to charge at the best times for your wallet and the grid.
If you received a ChargeReady incentive for FlexCharge supported EVSE, you are eligible to enroll that same charger in FlexCharge. Visit ChargeReady for more information and eligibility.
ChargeSmart and FlexCharge are separate programs but have been designed to work together to significantly amplify your savings when used in combination.
ChargeSmart is an optional EV time-of-use (TOU) rate (Rider EVCP) (PDF). Residential customers enrolled in ChargeSmart receive a $4/month bill credit for the first 12 billing periods, a Preferred Charging Period (PCP) delivery credit for energy used during off-peak hours (11 PM – 7 AM), and a Peak Hourly Delivery Charge for energy used during the single highest-use hour of Non-Preferred Charging Period (NPCP) (11 AM – 7 PM). FlexCharge automates the response to those price signals. WeaveGrid schedules your charging to align with the ChargeSmart Preferred Charging Period (PCP), so you earn the delivery credits without having to manually manage your charging.
ChargeSmart rewards you for charging off-peak, and FlexCharge makes sure you actually do it — automatically. You can enroll in both programs simultaneously to layer benefits.
Note for 'Rooftop solar charging' users: If you are enrolled in ChargeSmart and use the 'Rooftop solar charging' add-on in FlexCharge, be aware that solar hours (typically 11 AM – 3 PM) fall within ChargeSmart's Non-Preferred Charging Period (NPCP). Charging during this window may result in a Peak Hourly Delivery Charge on your bill. If maximizing your ChargeSmart savings is your priority, we recommend not enabling the 'Rooftop solar charging' add-on when enrolled in ChargeSmart.
For more information visit ChargeSmart.
FlexCharge is available to all eligible residential customers on the DS-1 standard residential rate. The financial benefits you experience will depend on which optional rider, if any, you are enrolled in.
- DS-1 (Standard Residential Rate)
DS-1 is a flat rate where electricity prices remain consistent regardless of the time of day. While DS-1 customers don't have time-varying pricing, FlexCharge still provides the convenience of automated, scheduled charging, helping you shift to overnight hours with ease while receiving program incentives. Learn more about the standard residential rate here Rate DS-1 (PDF). - ChargeSmart – Rider EVCP (Time of Use)
Customers enrolled in ChargeSmart will see the greatest financial benefit from pairing it with FlexCharge. ChargeSmart rewards you for shifting your EV charging and other household electric usage to the Preferred Charging Period (PCP) (11 PM – 7 AM) through bill credits, while the highest hour of household usage that falls within the Non-Preferred Charging Period (NPCP) (11 AM – 7 PM) incurs an additional peak hourly delivery charge. FlexCharge automatically schedules your charging to maximize Preferred Charging Period (PCP) credits and minimize Non-Preferred Charging Period (NPCP) charges, making the combination a powerful tool for reducing your EV charging costs. Visit ChargeSmart for more information. - Power Smart Pricing – Rider PSP (Hourly Pricing)
Customers enrolled in Power Smart Pricing will also benefit from pairing it with FlexCharge. Power Smart Pricing is an hourly supply rate program where electricity prices vary hour by hour based on actual market prices set the night before. The more you shift your charging and other household usage to lower-priced hours, the more you can save. FlexCharge's automated scheduling naturally targets those lower-cost windows, helping you reduce charging costs without manually managing when you plug in. Visit Power Smart Pricing for more information.
FlexCharge is compatible with several residential programs, from equipment incentives to bill savings opportunities. The benefits you experience will depend on which program(s) you participate in.
- ChargeReady (EV Charger)
Don't have a Level 2 charger yet? If you live in a qualifying Equity Investment Eligible Community (EIEC) or Low-Income (LI) area, ChargeReady may be able to help, offering incentives for Level 2 chargers and installation. A Level 2 charger charges your EV faster than a standard outlet, giving FlexCharge more flexibility to schedule your charging during the lowest-cost overnight hours. Visit ChargeReady for more information. - Peak Time Rewards (Demand Response)
Already enrolled in Peak Time Rewards? Pairing it with FlexCharge can help you get even more out of both programs. Peak Time Reward events typically occur on weekday afternoons during summer months, when energy demand is at its highest. Because FlexCharge prioritizes off-peak charging, your EV is typically already scheduled outside of event windows, helping you earn bill credits while keeping charging costs low. Visit Peak Time Rewards for more information.
FlexCharge is designed to help reduce your EV charging costs in two ways:
- Smart scheduling: FlexCharge automatically shifts your charging to off-peak hours when electricity costs and grid demand are lower. The financial benefit of this scheduling depends on your rate plan and what riders you're enrolled in. Customers enrolled in ChargeSmart (Rider EVCP) or Power Smart Pricing (Rider PSP) are best positioned to see bill savings, since they reward off-peak charging through bill credits or lower hourly prices. Customers on the standard DS-1 rate have consistent pricing regardless of time of day, so the primary benefit of smart scheduling is convenience and grid support rather than direct bill savings.
- Participation incentives: FlexCharge offers a $50 one-time sign-up incentive and a $10 monthly participation incentive. These incentives are issued through a third-party, Choice Digital, and are not on the Ameren electric bill.
Actual savings will vary depending on your driving habits and how consistently you follow the smart charging schedule. WeaveGrid provides estimated charging cost information on your dashboard to help you track your spending over time. For the most accurate picture of your bill, visit Ameren Residential Rates & Tariffs or review your monthly Ameren bill.
FlexCharge offers digital incentives, not a direct bill credit:
- $50 sign-up incentive: paid once after your vehicle or charging equipment is successfully enrolled and connected to the WeaveGrid platform. Available once per customer account.
- $10 monthly participation incentive: Earned each month you are enrolled, charge at home at least twice, and maintain a smart charging participation score of 70% or higher.
Incentives are distributed via email from Ameren's disbursement partner, Choice Digital, and are not applied directly to your Ameren electric bill.
"On-peak" and "off-peak" are general terms used in the FlexCharge program to describe periods of high and low electricity demand on the grid:
- Off-Peak: times when overall electricity demand is low, typically overnight and on weekends. Electricity is generally cheaper and cleaner during these hours because grid demand is lower and more renewable energy (like wind) is often available.
- On-Peak: or peak times is when electricity demand is highest, typically mid-morning through early evening on weekdays. Electricity costs more during these hours due to increased supply costs to meet increased demand.
FlexCharge is built around keeping your EV charging in off-peak windows to save you money and maximize grid efficiency.
These terms are specific to ChargeSmart (Rider EVCP) (PDF) and describe different windows of the day that affect how your EV charging is priced:
- Preferred Charging Period (PCP) 11 PM - 7 AM: A credit for your electric delivery service is given for every kWh of usage during this period.
- Non-Preferred Charging Period (NPCP) 11 AM - 7 PM: During the highest one hour of total household usage from the billing period that occurs within this timeframe, there will be an additional charge for each kWh used.
- Standard Charging Period 7 AM - 11 AM and 7 PM - 11 PM: There are no additional credits or charges for electric usage during this time period.
FlexCharge is designed to help ChargeSmart participants automatically keep charging in the Preferred Charging Period (PCP) window as much as possible to maximize savings and grid benefits.
For a complete list of program FAQs visit the Help Center where you'll find answers to more common questions, troubleshooting tips, and resources to help you get the most out of FlexCharge.
Depending on the nature of your question, reach out out to one of the contact options below.
| Question Type | Who to Contact |
|---|---|
| WeaveGrid platform, scheduling, device connections, dashboard features, address update | WeaveGrid Support |
| Incentive payments and disbursement | |
| Program enrollment eligibility | WeaveGrid Support or visit charge.weavegrid.com/amerenillinois/ |
| Your Ameren electric account or billing | Ameren Customer Service |
| Rates and riders | |
| Other Ameren Programs |