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Even more savings with Hydro-Québec’s Flex D rate and the RVE Solution
February 11, 2026
8 minutes
In the first article in this series, we explained why residential electricity rates provide a solid basis for reducing long-term charging costs, and how RVE solutions enable access to these rates, particularly in multifamily contexts. The Flex D rate is a continuation of this approach: an additional option for even greater economic benefits.
Note: The figures and examples presented in this article reflect the current rates and regulations in Quebec.
What is Hydro-Québec’s Flex D rate?
The Flex D rate is an option offered by Hydro-Québec to residential customers during the winter period, from December 1 to March 31. It is based on a simple logic: reduce the price of electricity most of the time, in exchange for a higher price during short periods of high demand, called peak demand events.
Practically speaking, more than 95% of the time in winter, electricity is billed at a price lower than the basic residential rate. In return, Hydro-Québec can trigger up to 30 peak demand events per winter, for a maximum of approximately 120 hours in total, generally in the morning and at the end of the day.
What changes during a peak demand event
The advantage of the Flex D rate comes into play during these events.
Winter price difference (Flex D rate)
- During a peak demand event: 45.088¢/kWh
- Outside of peak demand events: 8.699¢/kWh (2nd tier)
Difference: 36.389¢/kWh, or approximately $0.36 per kWh.
In other words, each kilowatt-hour consumed during an event costs about five times more than the same kilowatt-hour consumed outside of an event.
Where savings are actually generated
With the Flex D rate, savings do not come from an overall reduction in consumption, but almost exclusively from a single factor: kilowatt-hours that are not consumed during peak events.
If an electric vehicle driver charges normally during these periods, they pay the high price. If they shift their charging to outside these periods, they avoid the peak price—and that’s where the savings come in.
Based on 30 events per winter:
- 10 kWh used outside of peak demand events = ~$109 saved
- 20 kWh used outside of peak demand events = ~$218 saved
- 30 kWh used outside of peak demand events = ~$327 saved
At the household level, Hydro-Québec indicates that Flex D customers can save up to 20% on their winter bill.
EV charging: an easy-to-move use case
Charging an electric vehicle differs from other residential uses in terms of flexibility. Unlike heating or hot water, it can be postponed for a few hours without compromising occupants’ comfort.
This flexibility makes it one of the most effective ways to take advantage of the Flex D rate: avoid charging during peak events and favor off-peak periods, often at night, when electricity is cheaper and pressure on the grid is lower.
How RVE solutions make it easy to enjoy these savings
RVE solutions are based on a clear logic: charging when energy is available, without compromising the electrical infrastructure. Thanks to the HUB and DCC+, charging is naturally prioritized outside of critical periods, depending on the available electrical capacity.
This management is done automatically, without complex programming or constant intervention. In multifamily buildings, the HUB coordinates the DCC+ to optimize charging at the building level while protecting critical infrastructure components. Each charger remains connected to the individual electrical infrastructure of the dwelling, allowing residents to remain on the residential rate while taking full advantage of the Flex D option.
Conversely, several charging solutions available on the market—notably smart charging stations—are connected to a shared electrical infrastructure. In this case, charging is no longer associated with an individual residential meter, and electricity is billed at a more expensive commercial rate. Even though charging management is automated, this simple connection method results in a less advantageous rate structure, which limits the savings that can be achieved, even in a Flex D context.
Elsewhere in Canada: BC Hydro’s time-of-day rates
Although Flex D rates are unique to Quebec, the logic behind this type of pricing is not unique. Other electricity suppliers elsewhere in Canada are also implementing rates based on time of consumption, where the price of electricity varies according to the time of day or periods of high demand.
For example, in British Columbia, BC Hydro offers residential time-of-day pricing, which is based on the same principle: encouraging customers to shift their consumption to periods when electricity is more abundant and less expensive. In these contexts as well, the ability to structure and shift electric vehicle charging becomes a key lever for reducing costs.
This development reflects a fundamental trend: as electricity grids transform, the timing of charging is becoming as important as the amount of energy consumed. RVE solutions are part of this logic, offering a flexible and sustainable approach that can be adapted to current pricing frameworks—and those that will emerge elsewhere in the country.
In summary
Hydro-Quebec’s Flex D rate rewards flexibility, as does BC Hydro’s time-of-day pricing.
Savings depend on the kWh avoided during peak events.
EV charging is a use that is particularly well suited to this logic.
RVE solutions make it possible to capture this advantage in a simple, reliable, and automatic way.
When charging is well structured, the Flex D rate becomes a concrete option for further reducing the real cost of e-mobility.
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