What is smart charging and what are the benefits?

Modified on Tue, 13 Aug at 12:01 PM

Energy prices and carbon emissions fluctuate due to changes in supply and demand, which can happen for various reasons, such as a peak in usage or a change in weather conditions. Smart charging allows you to power up the battery in your electric car, van or bike when energy is cheapest and most environmentally sustainable.

For example, on a usual weekday evening, most households will cook dinner, use the washing machine and binge the latest series on Netflix. With all this going on, there is a lot of strain on the energy grid and prices are usually at their highest.

If there is less power being made through renewable sources, such as solar and wind, limited supply could increase prices even further. In some cases, high-carbon and unsustainable energy sources, such as coal or gas, may be used to keep up with this peak in demand.

In the UK, wholesale energy prices, the cost at which energy suppliers buy power, are updated every 30 minutes. These prices may then be passed on to households, depending on the tariff they have with their energy supplier, to encourage using energy at off-peak times and reduce strain on the power grid.

EV owners can reap the rewards of lower-priced, lower-carbon energy by charging at off-peak times when energy is more readily available, such as through the night, or during “low-carbon events”, such as during a storm when more energy can be produced by wind. This simple change could save you hundreds on energy bills and reduce your carbon emissions by up to 15% each year.

Many energy providers offer dedicated EV tariffs which give you a lower energy cost at set off-peak hours. This trend is likely to continue as the transition to electric vehicles will create a huge demand for electricity which needs managing to avoid overwhelming existing power systems.

This is a win-win situation for households, energy providers, and the government, who are on a mission to hit international targets and avoid the worst potential outcomes of the climate crisis.

With smart charging from ev.energy, you can enjoy additional savings whilst reducing your carbon footprint even further. Better still, many existing electric vehicles, EV chargers and utility providers are already compatible, making set-up quick, simple and affordable for everyone.