Smart charging

Smart charging is EV charging that can automatically change when or how quickly electricity flows, usually so a compatible charger, vehicle or service can charge at lower-demand, cheaper or renewable-rich times.

Smart charging is EV charging controlled by connected software, hardware or a service so the charging time or rate can change instead of simply starting at full available power. In UK home charging it often means a smart chargepoint, vehicle app, supplier service or demand side response service schedules or adjusts charging around off-peak periods, tariff windows, grid demand, available renewable electricity or the driver's ready-by time. GB smart-chargepoint rules require many new private domestic and workplace charge points to have smart functionality, but smart charging is broader than the regulations and does not guarantee solar divert, bidirectional charging, dynamic load balancing, a lower bill, export eligibility or compatibility with every vehicle, app or tariff.