But EVs don’t always need to charge at the exact moment they are plugged in. With smart charging technology, some charging sessions can be adjusted to better match electricity demand and grid requirements.
This is known as EV grid flexibility.
How can EV charging support the grid?
Electricity demand changes throughout the day. At certain times, local networks may experience higher demand, while renewable generation can create periods of surplus electricity.
Flexible EV charging can help by:
- Shifting charging away from periods of high electricity demand.
- Increasing charging when more renewable electricity is available.
- Reducing or adjusting charging when requested by a network operator.
- Coordinating multiple vehicles to respond to wider energy-system requirements.
Instead of every vehicle charging independently, connected vehicles can become part of a coordinated energy resource.
What role does smart charging play?
Smart charging software can coordinate charging schedules, power levels and dispatch signals across multiple vehicles and chargers.
For example, when a flexibility service requests a reduction in electricity demand, a platform can adjust eligible charging sessions in response to that instruction.
This creates opportunities for EV charging to participate in energy flexibility services, subject to vehicle availability, charger compatibility and driver requirements.
How does Electric Miles support grid flexibility?
Electric Miles’ SmartFlex platform coordinates eligible EV charging to participate in flexibility opportunities.
SmartFlex supports activity across all six UK Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), NESO services and wholesale energy-market activity. It also supports vehicle-to-grid (V2G) trading where compatible bidirectional charging infrastructure is available.
Electric Miles has publicly reported more than 16,000 SmartFlex events dispatched and 11,000+ flexibility responses delivered. These are separate performance measures, not interchangeable totals.
The platform helps turn connected EV charging into a resource that can respond to changing energy-system requirements.
Explore Electric Miles SmartFlex.
Frequently asked questions
Can EV charging help balance the electricity grid?
Yes. Flexible charging can shift or adjust electricity demand in response to network and energy-market requirements.
Does grid flexibility require V2G?
No. Smart charging can provide flexibility by adjusting when or how quickly a vehicle charges. V2G adds the ability to export energy back to the grid.
Can every EV participate in flexibility services?
Not necessarily. Participation depends on the vehicle, charger, software, service requirements and driver permissions.