How You Charge Matters: Schneider Electric’s Intelligent Energy Management Solutions Help Tip the Scales on EV Affordability 

June 17, 2026

By Krystie Johnston 

As a consumer, you want to make smart decisions when it comes to spending your hard-earned dollars. Maybe you are in the market for a new(er) vehicle and are weighing the pros and cons of going electric. In this article, Stephanie Medeiros, Head of Mobility at Schneider Electric Canada, shares practical advice on how to capitalize on the transition to electric transportation. Over the last decade, she has focused on e-mobility, working on EV charging infrastructure projects ranging from residential charging solutions to some of the largest charging deployments in North America. 

At Schneider, she leads their strategy to help accelerate the transition to cleaner, smarter transportation by working with customers, partners, utilities, governments, and industry stakeholders. In short, she plays a pivotal role in making electric mobility more accessible and scalable across the country. “What excites me the most is that transportation is undergoing one of the biggest transformations we have seen in generations. The technology is advancing quickly, but just as important is enduring people can adopt it affordably and confidently,” Medeiros says.  

It is no secret that Canada is undergoing a transition to electric transportation. And this is happening for several reasons. Medeiros says that: 1) EV technology has matured a lot over the years; longer driving ranges, improved performance, and there are more makes and models to choose from. Overall, people report better ownership experiences than even a few years ago. 2) Canadians are looking for ways to reduce their transportation costs. The upfront purchase price of an EV may still be high, but many drivers are attracted by the potential savings they present. Environmental considerations also play a role. And 3) Many Canadians want to reduce their emissions and are looking for practical ways to make that happen. 

Challenges remain, transparency aids decision 

But these efforts need to make sense financially – and this is where many start to look at the dollars and cents to see how their options stack up. “Challenges remain,” Medeiros says. “Upfront vehicle cost is still a barrier for some. And charging infrastructure continues to expand, but accessibility can vary depending on where people live. For those in condos, apartments, or older buildings, installing a charger can be more complicated than for someone with a detached home.” And there is also an education gap, she adds. “Many people still assume charging an EV is difficult or expensive, when in reality, the experience can be quite straightforward and economical if it is planned properly.” 

Transparency is critical to making a fair comparison between choosing whether an EV is your best choice. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that affordability starts and ends with the purchase price. To make a fair comparison, you need to look at the total cost of ownership over several years,” Medeiros says. 

• For a gasoline vehicle, your costs include fuel, oil changes, engine maintenance, transmission maintenance, and other wear-and-tear components associated with an internal combustion engine. 
• For an EV, electricity replaces fuel, and maintenance requirements are generally lower because there are fewer moving parts. You don’t have oil changes, and regenerative braking can reduce brake wear. 
• On the EV side, there are additional considerations, such as purchasing and installing a home charger if you want the convenience of charging at home. In some cases, a home may require electrical upgrades, although many homeowners discover they do not need major upgrades once their charging needs are properly assessed. 

If you do decide to purchase an EV, Medeiros offers some practical strategies that can help reduce these costs, from point of purchase to use and maintenance: 

• The first strategy is understanding your actual driving habits. Most Canadians drive far less each day than the maximum range of modern EVs, which means they often do not need the fastest or most expensive charging setup available. 
• When installing home charging, it is important to evaluate whether electrical upgrades are truly necessary. Smart energy management technologies can often help homeowners add EV charging without undertaking major service upgrades, which can save thousands of dollars. Chargers on the market are now starting to have that capability and reducing their charging power according to household power demands. 
• Another important strategy is charging during off-peak electricity periods whenever possible. In provinces with time-of-use electricity rates, such as in Ontario, charging overnight can significantly reduce operating costs. 
• Choosing a smart charger can also make a meaningful difference. Smart chargers can automatically schedule charging when electricity prices are lowest and help manage energy consumption across the home. 
• Finally, workplace charging can help reduce costs and provide additional flexibility for drivers who spend much of their day at the office. 

Best practices lead to more savings 

Even with a solid understanding of these costs, the way you charge matters. Medeiros shares the best habits to make EV ownership even more affordable. “One of the best habits is treating charging more like charging your phone than filling up a gas tank. Rather than waiting until the battery is nearly empty, regular charging at home or work can provide greater flexibility and lower costs,” she says. “Another good habit is taking advantage of off-peak electricity rates and using smart charging tools to automate charging schedules. Planning ahead for longer trips is also beneficial. Drivers who know where they will charge along their route can often avoid unnecessary costs and reduce travel stress.” 

Medeiros offers this advice as well: “One of the most expensive habits is relying exclusively on public fast charging when it is not necessary. Fast charging is incredibly valuable for long-distance travel, but regular home or workplace charging is often more economical.” She adds, “Another common mistake is installing oversized charging equipment without first assessing actual charging needs. Sometimes consumers invest in infrastructure they rarely use to its full capacity.” 

Smart charging takes best practices even further 

Smart charging is much more than simply charging at a certain time of the day. Medeiros says that at its core, smart charging uses software, connectivity, and energy management technologies to optimize when and how a vehicle charges. “For example, a smart charging system can automatically delay charging until electricity rates drop, adjust charging speeds based on household energy use, or coordinate multiple vehicles charging simultaneously without overloading a building’s electrical system.” 

Medeiros adds that this is where smart charging goes beyond individual behaviours. “Even if a driver is not actively managing their charging schedule, the technology can make intelligent decisions in the background to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and lessen strain on the electrical grid,” she says. “As EV adoption continues to grow, smart charging will become increasingly important because it allows us to add more vehicles to the grid without requiring massive infrastructure investments everywhere.” 

Public chargers have their place, but the majority of consumer EVs will be charged where their drivers spend most of their time: at home or at work. “For many drivers, home charging remains the most convenient and cost-effective option because it allows them to take advantage of residential electricity rates and charge overnight,” Medeiros says. “Workplace charging is also becoming more common as employers look to support sustainability goals, attract talent, and provide valuable employee amenities.” 

Both charging locations benefit from smart charging. Managing charging during periods of lower demand can help reduce electricity costs and alleviate pressure on local electrical infrastructure. This is not necessarily a shocker. “What is particularly exciting is the growing integration between EV charging, building energy management systems, solar power, and battery storage,” Medeiros says. “This creates opportunities for even greater efficiency and cost savings in the future.” 

As an energy technology company, these are precisely the opportunities where they can add their expertise. Medeiros says that to make EV ownership truly affordable at scale, it is necessary to look beyond the vehicle itself and focus on the entire charging ecosystem. “We need continued investment in charging infrastructure, particularly in multi-unit residential buildings, workplaces, and underserved communities. We also need solutions that make charging deployment faster, simpler, and less expensive.” 

Medeiros adds that equally important is helping consumers understand how charging choices affect ownership costs. Many people still focus exclusively on vehicle price, when the long-term economics of EV ownership are influenced heavily by how and where they charge. “At Schneider Electric, we’re focused on making electrification more accessible through intelligent energy management solutions. Our technologies help homeowners, businesses, and building operators integrate EV charging while optimizing energy use and minimizing costly electrical upgrades.” 

Final thoughts 

Ultimately, affordability and sustainability go hand in hand. The smarter we become about managing energy, the more affordable EV ownership becomes, not just for early adopters, but for everyone. 

Interested in learning more? Visit Schneider Electric Canada today! 

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Stephanie Medeiros on EV Infrastructure in Canada, Innovative Technologies, Well-Planned Charging Networks, & Commercial Fleets

In this Q&A with Stephanie Medeiros, the Head of Mobility at Schneider Electric Canada provides insight into her perspective on EV charging infrastructure in Canada, factors that will contribute to growing EV adoption, grid modernization for commercial fleets, the role of Vehicle-to-Grid and other innovative approaches to electrification.

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