Chariot Energy vs Express Energy: Who Delivers Lower Electricity Rates?

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Head-to-Head-to-Head: Chariot Energy, Express Energy, and BKV Energy Compared

Chariot Energy and Express Energy are common picks in Texas—but BKV Energy may be the better fit. Enter your zip to view our affordable plans, or scroll down for an unbiased comparison.

Energy provider comparison criteria

Side-by-side: Types of plans from Chariot Energy and Express Energy

In the Texas electricity market, you can find a wide variety of plan types, including the following:

• Fixed Rate: Fixed rate plans lock in an energy charge for the duration of your contract.
• Variable Rate: The energy charge is subject to change each month based on changes to wholesale electricity prices.
• Solar Buyback: Plans that allow you to sell energy back to the grid from solar panels installed on your property.
• Bill Credit: A common electricity plan gimmick that disguises high energy charges with a bill credit.
• Time-of-Use: Time-of-use plans offer different energy charges based on the time of day or day of the week. The most common are “free nights” and “free weekends” — watch out for these gimmicky plans because free electricity at night or on the weekend often means much higher energy charges during the day or during the week.
• Base Charge: Plans that include monthly base charges. An extra fee added to your bill no matter how much electricity you consume.
• Usage Fee: Plans that include usage fees. These extra costs are added to bills when you use the “wrong” amount of energy during a billing period.

Comparing contract terms across providers

Contract length is an important consideration when choosing an electricity plan. We recommend selecting a plan that allows you to renew in the spring or fall, as those months often have the best available prices.

Clean energy plans compared

Texas electricity providers offer a wide range of plans with varying renewable energy percentages. Compare the renewable plan options between Chariot Energy, Express Energy, and BKV Energy.

Electricity referral bonuses explained

Compare the referral programs and referral rewards of Chariot Energy, Express Energy, and BKV Energy.

Areas served by this provider

There are six major service regions within the deregulated ERCOT market, each serviced by its own transmission and distribution utility (TDU).

• Oncor: Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Temple, Round Rock, Midland, Odessa
• CenterPoint: Houston, Beaumont
• Texas-New Mexico Power: League City, Glen Rose, Pecos, Angleton
• AEP North: Abilene, San Angelo, Vernon
• AEP Central: Corpus Christi, McAllen, Victoria, Laredo, Harlingen
• Lubbock Power & Light: Lubbock

Understanding provider usage fees

Usage fees are extra costs added to bills when kWh consumption is either “too high” or “too low” during a billing period. In the case of a minimum usage fee, if you use less than the specified kWh amount, an electricity provider may tack another fee onto your bill. It’s generally recommended to avoid electricity plans that charge usage fees.

Electricity provider base rate overview

Base charges are extra costs added to every bill, regardless of how much electricity is used during that billing period. We recommend finding a provider and a plan that does not include base charges in the contract.

Contract break fees by provider

Early termination fees (or early cancellation fees) may be charged when you decide to cancel a plan before the end of the contract. Texas electricity providers typically charge ETFs in one of two ways. First, some providers will charge a flat cancellation fee that remains the same no matter how far you are into your contract. Second, other providers, like BKV Energy, will charge a cancellation fee that decreases the longer you remain a customer. This often makes switching providers less costly if you switch to a different provider early.

Who the company is and what they do

Let’s compare basic company information and history for Chariot Energy, Express Energy, and BKV Energy side-by-side.

Why you should switch to BKV Energy

BKV Energy offers simple, transparent, and straightforward fixed-rate Texas electricity. Our Bluebonnet plan is customizable by term length and renewable energy percentage. There are no extra costs such as base charges, usage fees, or setup/bundle fees. Additionally, enjoy access to Premier+ Benefits. This program comes with amazing benefits such as:

• Reduce Your Rate: If market prices fall after you enroll, you can switch to a lower-priced plan at no cost. With Reduce Your Rate, we’ll notify you when there are opportunities to save!
• ElectroShare: Get paid every November with ElectroShare. The longer you’re a customer the more you earn.
• VoltPoints: 25 reward points per month. Enter to win daily, weekly, and monthly prizes up to $1,000.
• Save Now Pay Later: Bill payment flexibility! Skip your next bill and pay it off in equal installments over the next six months.
• Contract Consultation: Chat with a Texas energy expert to find the best BKV Energy renewable plan based on market insights including weather, seasonality, and wholesale prices.
• 30-Day Power Pilot: Try BKV Energy’s Bluebonnet plan risk-free for 30 days. No early cancellation fee in the first 30 days.

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