About the Project and the PowerReady Program Context

Vail Buick GMC, a dealership in Bedford Hills, New York, set out to install EV charging infrastructure while preparing its facility for long-term electrification. 

Through Con Edison’s PowerReady Program, the dealership had access to incentives designed to offset the cost of EV charging infrastructure and grid upgrades. 

The opportunity was clear — but capturing it required the right technical and financial approach.

The Infrastructure and Cost Challenge Behind EV Charging Deployment

To install DC fast chargers and Level 2 stations, the dealership faced several critical challenges:

  • required upgrade from 208V to 480V service 
  • high upfront infrastructure and electrical costs
  • risk of increased operating costs from unmanaged charging demand
  • complexity of coordinating incentives, utilities, and system design

Without a coordinated strategy, the project risked becoming both expensive and inefficient.

The Business Goals Behind the Project

The dealership aimed to:

  • deploy EV charging infrastructure aligned with OEM requirements
  • minimize upfront capital costs through incentives
  • reduce long-term energy costs and demand exposure
  • create a scalable, future-ready system
  • improve overall energy performance of the facility

The Integrated Microgrid and Incentive-Optimized Solution

Sprocket Power designed and implemented a managed microgrid system, structured to fully leverage available incentives while optimizing long-term performance.

The system included:

  • solar PV system (50 kW, ~7,000 sq ft) \
  • battery storage (100 kW / 186 kWh) (
  • EV charging infrastructure (Level 2 + DC fast charging) 
  • intelligent load and charging management
  • full facility energy optimization

In parallel, Sprocket Power coordinated all available financial programs — including Con Edison, federal, and New York State incentives — to significantly reduce upfront investment.

How the Project Maximized Incentives and Long-Term Financial Performance

The success of the project was driven by combining technical design with financial strategy.

Sprocket Power:

  • structured the system to qualify for maximum available incentives
  • leveraged programs like SmartCharge and demand-response incentives 
  • optimized system design to reduce operating costs over time
  • ensured the infrastructure was future-proofed for expansion

This approach allowed the dealership to not only reduce upfront costs, but also improve long-term returns.

Results Achieved Across Cost Savings, Incentives, and Sustainability

Financial Results

  • ~79% reduction in utility costs by year five
  • more than $625,000 in incentives secured 
  • significantly reduced net capital investment

Operational Results

  • EV charging deployed without uncontrolled demand cost increases
  • improved control over facility energy usage
  • optimized system performance through integrated controls

Strategic Results

  • future-ready infrastructure aligned with EV growth
  • contribution to grid stability through managed energy usage 
  • alignment with New York’s climate and emissions goals

What This Project Shows About Incentive-Driven EV Infrastructure

This project highlights a key insight:

EV infrastructure projects are not just technical — they are financial and strategic.

Programs like Con Edison’s PowerReady can dramatically improve project economics, but only when:

  • the system is designed correctly
  • incentives are fully leveraged
  • energy usage is actively managed