Welcome to the E Source blog! Our staff will share insights and observations about life at E Source, our events, our research, and other fun stuff.


What the CDC’s eviction moratorium means for utilities and their customers

Lisa Schulte | September 15, 2020 | 4 min read
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a moratorium on evictions until the end of the year. This keeps some Americans housed but it doesn’t address the reality that people can’t pay their bills. What can utilities do to support these customers and prepare for the financial impacts?

EV charging and pricing: What are consumers willing to pay?

Bill LeBlanc | September 1, 2020 | 8 min read
We recently asked utility customers in the US and Canada a series of pointed questions about electric vehicle (EV) charging and pricing. The responses offer insights to help you better plan public charging network pricing and improve customers’ understanding of EVs through new messaging approaches.

The virtual E Source Forum agenda will help utilities and customers get through these turbulent times

Mary Sullivan | August 28, 2020 | 2 min read
We've worked tirelessly to develop relevant, data-driven sessions for the virtual E Source Forum 2020. In this blog, theme leaders for this year's event explain the topics that will be covered and make the case for you to bring your whole team to Forum.

How do you measure energy savings during and after the COVID-19 pandemic?

Liza Minor | August 6, 2020 | 4 min read
Energy use has changed dramatically since the onset of COVID-19, and forecasts show an overall decrease in electricity and natural gas consumption in 2020. Utility evaluators must evolve their approach to account for energy usage and savings in 2020 and beyond.

The COVID-19 pandemic could make utility voice apps more valuable than ever

Essie Snell | July 30, 2020 | 3 min read
Given the rapid adoption of smart speakers and voice assistants, customers’ willingness to engage with them, and the need for additional customer support during COVID-19, we expect these platforms to be an increasingly important channel for utilities.

Why do people have electric vehicle range anxiety?

Bill LeBlanc | July 15, 2020 | 4 min read
Why do consumers have range anxiety? Our research has revealed some striking problems with consumers’ beliefs about electric vehicles and how they get “fueled up.” To combat this phenomenon, utility communicators and marketers should focus their messaging on the comfort and ease of charging at home.

How small business DSM programs are responding to COVID-19

Amy Schmidt | June 9, 2020 | 3 min read
In mid-May, we held a call to explore how utilities are adjusting their demand-side management programs to support small and midsize businesses during this public health and economic crisis. Exchange participants expressed mixed feelings about meeting their 2020 goals. Here we share our takeaways.

Utilities expect fewer savings during COVID-19 but have the same goals

Gabe Cuadra | June 2, 2020 | 3 min read
Are you worried about how COVID-19 is affecting energy savings? Have you wondered how energy-savings goals are changing? You're not alone. In this blog we explain what demand-side management executives think about how COVID-19 is changing energy savings and goals.

Advancing the evolution of incentive design

Cindy Schweitzer | May 26, 2020 | 2 min read
Program administrators are under constant pressure to improve the cost-effectiveness of programs and achieve greater savings with smaller budgets. To help administrators meet their goals, E Source and ICF International are partnering on a new exploration of incentive design strategies.

How to make your online payment feature more customer-friendly

Keenan Samuelson | May 20, 2020 | 5 min read
Because of the pandemic, some of your customers who have been paying their bills via checks or walk-in centers are likely moving to digital bill payment for the first time. Your Make a Payment feature needs to be easy to locate and easy to use so as to not deter these customers.