If your car is charging while prices are high, one of these reasons usually explains it. Work through them in order.
1. You just plugged in
For the first minutes after you plug in, your car may charge while the app reads the battery level and makes a charging plan. Then charging pauses until the cheap hours. This is normal for all brands. See My Car Starts Charging as Soon as I Plug In.
2. No maximum price is set
Without a maximum price, smart charging charges whenever needed to be ready by your ready-by time, even during expensive hours. Set a maximum price in the app to prevent this.
3. The charging window is too short
If you plug in late and your ready-by time is early, the app may have to charge during expensive hours to be ready in time. Plug in earlier or set a later ready-by time.
4. The battery is below your minimum charge level
The car always charges to at least the minimum charge level you set. It uses the cheapest hours available before your ready-by time, even if those hours are above your maximum price. If the window is short, those can be expensive hours. A lower minimum charge level or a later ready-by time helps.
5. Your car's own scheduling is on
Turn off any charging schedule, departure timer or off-peak option in the car or in its brand app. They overrule smart charging.
- Tesla: turn off Scheduled Charging and Off-Peak Charging in the Tesla app.
- BMW and MINI: starting charging in the My BMW or MINI app takes over that session.
- Volkswagen, Audi, Škoda, Cupra and SEAT: turn off off-peak options in the brand app.
6. Mercedes-Benz: the car charges to a minimum level first
EQA, EQB, EQC and Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrids always charge to 50% before charging can be paused. On the electric GLC this level is 30%. Until the battery reaches that level, the car charges whatever the price. This is a Mercedes-Benz rule. EQS and EQE are not affected. Plug in often to keep your battery above that level.
7. The car is topping up
Some cars, especially Tesla, top up the battery with a small amount of charge, for example 2 kWh, when they sit plugged in for several days in cold weather. This is the car's own behaviour and smart charging does not control it.
Still not working?
If your car keeps charging after about 20 minutes at home, with fresh data in the app, 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, when it happened, and how long the car kept charging. A screenshot of the app helps.