Smart charging uses a few settings to decide when your car charges. The names and options differ per app, and not every app offers every setting. This article explains what each one does.
Smart charging on or off
This switches smart charging on or off for a car. When it is off, the car charges as soon as you plug in, the same as without the app.
Ready-by time
The time your car should be charged by, for example when you leave for work. You can set a different time for each day of the week.
Smart charging uses the hours between plugging in and the ready-by time to find the cheapest hours to charge.
Example: you set "ready by 07:00" and plug in at 22:00. Smart charging then has 9 hours to pick the cheapest combination of hours.
Maximum price
The highest electricity price you want to pay for charging. Smart charging does not charge when the price is above this limit, even if the car then does not reach its target level. The minimum charge level is the one exception.
When to use it: if you prefer a partly charged car over paying peak prices.
Minimum charge level
The battery level you always want to have by your ready-by time. The car always charges to at least this level, in the cheapest hours available before the ready-by time, even if those hours are above your maximum price. Above this level, it only charges in hours priced below your maximum price.
When to use it: to make sure you always have enough range for an unexpected trip.
The two settings work well together. For example, a minimum charge level of 40% and a maximum price of zero gives you a safe 40% and leaves the rest for solar or free energy. See How Solar Charging Works.
Inactive hours
Hours when the app does not control charging. Use them for times when you do not want smart charging to run.
When to use it: if your car cannot share its location and you also plug in somewhere else during the day, for example at work. Set the hours you are usually away as inactive hours, so smart charging only runs once you are home.
Make sure inactive hours do not cover the night, or your car will not be smart charged then.
Pause or charge now
Charges your car straight away at full speed for a while, whatever the price. Smart charging resumes after that. See Pause Smart Charging and Charge Now.
Solar start threshold
If your app offers solar charging, this is the solar surplus at which charging from solar starts. Below the threshold, smart charging falls back to the plan based on the cheapest hours. See How Solar Charging Works.
Settings in your car
- Charge limit: the charge limit set in your car always wins. Smart charging cannot charge beyond it.
- The car's own schedules: turn off any charging schedule, departure timer or off-peak option in the car or its app. They overrule smart charging.
Related articles
- Car did not charge? See Why Did My Car Not Charge Overnight?
- Car charging when prices are high? See Why Is My Car Still Charging When Prices Are High?
- Smart charging at more than one place: Smart Charging Location: Why and How
Need help?
Contact the support team of your app. If your app comes from your energy supplier, that is your energy supplier's customer service. Tell them your car brand and model, which setting you mean and what you expected to happen. A screenshot of the app helps.