As EV adoption accelerates across the UK, charging is no longer just about plugging in and taking power. At scale, EV charging is becoming part of how the electricity grid is balanced, protected, and optimised.
This is where SmartFlex by Electric Miles comes in.
What is SmartFlex?
SmartFlex is Electric Miles’ grid flexibility engine that turns EV chargers into active, flexible grid resources.
Instead of EVs charging whenever they’re plugged in, SmartFlex intelligently shifts when charging happens without impacting driver needs to support the grid during peak demand. In return, drivers, fleets, and businesses are rewarded for participating.
At its core, SmartFlex connects:
-
EV chargers
-
Energy tariffs
-
Grid signals
-
Payments and rewards
into a single, automated flexibility platform.
Why grid flexibility matters now
EV charging demand is growing fast especially during peak periods like winter evenings. Traditionally, the solution has been expensive grid upgrades: new substations, cables, and long lead times.
Grid flexibility offers a smarter alternative.
By adjusting charging times within agreed limits, flexible assets like EV chargers help:
-
Reduce peak strain on local networks
-
Avoid or delay costly infrastructure upgrades
-
Keep charging reliable as EV fleets and depots scale
This approach is known as Demand Side Response (DSR) and EVs are one of the most powerful assets within it.
How SmartFlex works (simply)
-
Opt in
Drivers, fleets, or site owners opt into SmartFlex and set their normal charging preferences (for example, “ready by 7am”). -
Aggregation at scale
Thousands of chargers are connected through Electric Miles and grouped into a virtual power plant. -
Grid signals
UK network operators like UK Power Networks (UKPN) and SP Energy Networks (SPEN) request flexibility during constrained periods. -
Automated response
SmartFlex automatically shifts, slows, or reschedules charging always within user-defined limits. -
Rewards and revenue
The grid pays for this flexibility, and Electric Miles returns value to participants through cashback, incentives, or commercial savings.
Proven at UK scale
SmartFlex is already operating across the UK, delivering flexibility reliably and automatically:
-
16,000+ SmartFlex events dispatched
-
11,000+ flexibility responses delivered across multiple DSOs
-
1,000+ automated events in a single winter month
-
Recognised by network operators as accurate and dependable at scale
-
Shortlisted for Software of the Year – ECN Awards 2025
Who SmartFlex is for
EV drivers
-
No lifestyle change
-
Automatic smart charging
-
Earn rewards for supporting the grid
Fleets, depots, and workplaces
-
Reduce peak demand and energy costs
-
Electrify without oversizing grid connections
-
Unlock new revenue from flexibility markets
Networks and infrastructure teams
-
Access predictable, scalable flexibility
-
Manage local constraints without heavy reinforcement
-
Work with a proven, automated platform
EV charging is becoming part of the energy system
EV chargers are no longer passive loads. When managed intelligently, they become flexible energy assets supporting the grid while delivering real financial value to users.
SmartFlex is how Electric Miles makes that possible.
Ready to turn EV charging into a smarter energy asset?
Download the Electric Miles Smart Charging App to connect your charger and join SmartFlex, or book a demo with Electric Miles to see how SmartFlex works for fleets, depots, and enterprise EV infrastructure.