What is smart EV charging?
Smart EV charging is the process of automatically controlling when or how quickly an electric vehicle charges based on factors such as electricity prices, available power, driver requirements and energy-system demand.
Unlike conventional charging, where a vehicle typically draws power whenever it is plugged in, smart charging can adjust charging behaviour to make better use of available electricity.
It helps drivers manage charging costs and allows businesses to coordinate multiple vehicles while supporting a more flexible electricity system.
How does smart charging work?
Smart charging software uses information from vehicles, chargers and energy systems to coordinate charging sessions.
Depending on the platform, it can consider:
- Electricity tariffs: Schedule charging around suitable electricity prices.
- Driver requirements: Account for departure times and required charge levels.
- Site capacity: Distribute available power across multiple chargers.
- Grid signals: Adjust charging in response to eligible flexibility requests.
For example, a fleet depot may have 20 vehicles plugged in overnight. Rather than charging every vehicle at maximum power simultaneously, a smart charging system can coordinate sessions around available capacity and when each vehicle needs to leave.
What are the benefits of smart EV charging?
For drivers: Smart charging can help make use of suitable tariffs and reduce the need to manage charging manually.
For businesses: Coordinated charging can help manage electricity demand and make better use of existing infrastructure.
For the energy system: Flexible charging can shift electricity demand away from constrained periods and help accommodate renewable generation.
The actual benefits depend on the tariff, infrastructure, software capabilities and charging requirements.
How is smart charging connected to grid flexibility?
Smart charging can do more than optimise an individual charging session. When many connected chargers are coordinated, their combined electricity demand can become a flexible resource for the grid.
This is the principle behind Electric Miles’ SmartFlex platform.
SmartFlex coordinates eligible EV charging in response to energy-market and network signals. It supports flexibility participation across UK DSO and NESO services, as well as wholesale market activity and V2G trading with compatible infrastructure.
Electric Miles’ published platform figures include 16,000+ SmartFlex events dispatched and 11,000+ flexibility responses delivered. These figures are reported separately and should not be treated as interchangeable measures.
Learn more about SmartFlex.
Frequently asked questions
Is smart charging the same as scheduled charging?
Not exactly. Scheduled charging follows predetermined times, while smart charging can adjust charging in response to changing conditions and available information.
Does smart charging require a special EV?
Not necessarily. Compatibility depends on the vehicle, charger and software. Some smart charging functions can work with conventional one-way charging.
Can smart charging support the electricity grid?
Yes. Eligible charging can be adjusted to respond to grid or network requirements without necessarily exporting electricity from the vehicle battery.