The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of modern technology being made today is smart. But what exactly does that mean? Simply put, smart technology can communicate and work well with other networked technologies and devices.
In an era of electric vehicles, it’s really no surprise that smart EV chargers are now widely available in the market. To be completely honest, EVs aren’t exactly cheap. While some consider them affordable, many people find them outside their budget range.
Then there’s the issue of charging said EVs. It all comes down to whether you can install a home charger or you have to charge your vehicle at a public charging station. So, all in all, the average cost of charging an EV in the UK is around 24.5p per kWh, and one kWh can move an EV for two to three miles.
That would mean a £15 price to fully charge a 60kWh vehicle that can go about 200 miles. Of course, there are ways to reduce these costs, which can vary based on where you live and how you charge your EV, but calculating the exact cost tends to get a bit complicated.
This is where smart charging comes into play, and it can greatly optimise how your vehicle is charged, when and at what cost. So, what is this smart charging and how does it work exactly? Let’s find out.
Smart EV charging is actually an optimised way to recharge your car's battery. Since smart EV chargers can communicate with the grid and your phone’s app, you can create an entire process for your smart charging car in accordance with your preferences.
For instance, let’s assume that electricity costs less where you live between 11 pm and 6 am. You can set the charger to recharge your EV only during that time. Moreover, you can also adjust the charger to start the process only when the battery drops below 70%.
These are just some of the features that smart charging is capable of. It’s quite useful when you want to minimise the costs and ensure your EV always has enough battery life to get you from point A to point B and back again.
For smart charging to actually work, you need the right smart charger that is compatible with your vehicle. What is an EV charger, you ask?
Simply put, it’s a device you mount on a wall socket so that your EV can charge through it. Once that is done, all you need to do is set your preference via an app, and the charger’s algorithms will do the rest. Here’s an example of how this works:
Smart EV chargers offer a lot of benefits, and if you can utilise the full potential of such a charger, you should most certainly get one. As mentioned before, it all comes down to optimising the charging process and vastly reducing costs.
Speaking of costs, you can charge your vehicle pretty much anywhere in the UK. However, depending on the type of charge and the location, the prices may go up significantly. Here are a few examples:
That said, using the example mentioned above, the best and the cheapest option would be to have a home charger, which comes at 24.5p/kWh. With smart optimisation, those costs can further be reduced. That’s great if you’re a homeowner and you can actually install a smart charger in your parking lot or garage.
However, if you live in an apartment, you can’t really benefit from a portable or home charger. But most workplaces in the UK have charging points accessible to employees free of charge, so you can make that work in your favour if you have a portable EV charger on you.
No matter if you can easily afford an EV and the charging that goes with it or not, you’d still want to take an opportunity to cut down on expenses related to the entire process.
This is why smart EV charging is gaining so much popularity among EV owners. But it’s not just the cost reduction that’s driving the popularity of smart charging. In fact, it’s about optimisation.
After all, if you charge your EV the right way, which is usually according to the manufacturer’s specification, your EV’s battery will have a longer and healthier life, while the vehicle itself will enjoy optimal performance.
That said, let’s have a look at a few benefits of using smart chargers for your EV.
If by now you’re convinced that smart EV charges are pretty useful gadgets, you’re in for more pleasant surprises. As a matter of fact, these smart chargers are equipped with a lot more advanced features than meets the eye.
In other words, they are far more capable than what people give them credit for. Of course, it all depends on the model but most models are designed to help you in any way that they can. That being said, here are some of those advanced features that smart EV chargers have in store for you.
Smart chargers for EVs can be quite eco-friendly. If, for example, you’re a homeowner with solar panels installed on the roof of your house, you can program the smart EV charger to store renewable solar energy and use only that energy to charge your EV.
The charger won’t even touch the grid unless you somehow run out of renewable energy, which means you can reduce the costs of charging your EV even further than you thought possible.
Another great feature of smart EV chargers is their ability to manage power usage based on the preferences you’ve previously set. But that’s not all, another feature allows these chargers to prevent overloading your electrical equipment, such as the main fuse, for example. It does so by monitoring the power capacity at all times.
Therefore, if, for instance, your home power supply can handle 60A and your charger uses 40A, the moment another device that uses 40A in your house powers on, the charger’s power consumption will drop to 20A, thus ensuring a balanced distribution of electrical power without blowing the fuse in the process.
Speaking of monitoring the power supply, your smart EV charger will also keep an eye on the state of the grid in real-time. In the past, when grids were built, no one expected that the day would come when a surge in EV vehicles and other devices would put a strain on the electrical grid.
Although the said grid is being constantly upgraded to handle this new demand, it needs a bit of help every now and then. Your smart EV charger will either stop chagrin or lower its consumption if it notices a spike in demand, all for the purpose of not overloading the grid.
While it operates, your smart charger continuously collects data on the overall state of things. That often includes your vehicle’s battery, the charging process, grid conditions and so on.
Based on the data collected and analysed, your charger will generate reports on how to further optimise your EV’s charging, as well as how to further reduce costs.
This is actually quite beneficial as it allows you to keep on top of things and constantly leverage the best conditions and energy prices for your vehicle.
Setting preferences based on which your smart charger will operate is not set in stone. As a matter of fact, you can change them whenever you wish, and you can do so remotely. The app that is supported by your charger allows you to start or stop the charging process at any moment.
Moreover, based on the information the charger provides you with, you can also change charging times, power distribution and other relevant factors concerning the charging process. Therefore, should the grid conditions change or if the peak consumption hours shift for any reason, you can adjust quickly and accordingly without even coming close to your smart EV charger.
Acquiring a smart EV charger is fairly simple, provided you’re aware of the different EV charger types that are available to you. That said, it’s of vital importance that you get the right one so that you can properly charge your EV in any situation. To help you out in your search, here are a few types of chargers you should know about.
Understanding what type of charger you need will also help you pick one of the best smart EV chargers with ease. It all comes down to the model of your vehicle, how you plan to utilise a smart charger and, of course, your budget. That’s why it’s essential that you do some proper research prior to making a purchase.
In a world of networked devices, knowing where to charge your EV properly can be quite useful. You have a portable EV charger with you, and all you need now is a charging station.
Worry not. OVO Charge provides you with an app that can not only help you find the nearest charging station and plan your route to get there but also help you pay and save money regardless of which provider you stumble upon.
No more road anxiety or wondering whether you’ll reach your destination on time or at all. So, don’t hesitate to check and download our app today and see all the awesome features we have prepared for you.
There’s no doubt that EVs are the future if we ever want to get rid of global warming and make our planet as hospitable as it used to be.
However, with the rise of EVs comes a unique set of challenges that smart EV chargers are ready to help solve.
These devices may not seem very special to everyone, but they will help maintain the grid and pave the way for EVs to safely replace fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the near future.
As mentioned before, a smart EV charger is a device that can optimise the charging process for your EV in a way that’s cost-effective, safe and much faster than traditional means. The set of functionalities and features built into EV chargers make them a must-have for every EV owner.
Simply put, a non-smart charger does what it's supposed to do: charge your EV and nothing else. On the other hand, a smart EV charger does the same, but it can be programmed to manage power load, utilise electricity at cheaper rates and ensure your fuses don’t blow due to overload.
The process of smart charging is basically a set of instructions you program into your smart EV charger. Based on your preferences and other criteria, smart charging will ensure your EV’s battery receives the power it needs properly while maintaining the battery’s health and optimal performance in the process.
The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of modern technology being made today is smart. But what exactly does that mean? Simply put, smart technology can communicate and work well with other networked technologies and devices.
In an era of electric vehicles, it’s really no surprise that smart EV chargers are now widely available in the market. To be completely honest, EVs aren’t exactly cheap. While some consider them affordable, many people find them outside their budget range.
Then there’s the issue of charging said EVs. It all comes down to whether you can install a home charger or you have to charge your vehicle at a public charging station. So, all in all, the average cost of charging an EV in the UK is around 24.5p per kWh, and one kWh can move an EV for two to three miles.
That would mean a £15 price to fully charge a 60kWh vehicle that can go about 200 miles. Of course, there are ways to reduce these costs, which can vary based on where you live and how you charge your EV, but calculating the exact cost tends to get a bit complicated.
This is where smart charging comes into play, and it can greatly optimise how your vehicle is charged, when and at what cost. So, what is this smart charging and how does it work exactly? Let’s find out.
Smart EV charging is actually an optimised way to recharge your car's battery. Since smart EV chargers can communicate with the grid and your phone’s app, you can create an entire process for your smart charging car in accordance with your preferences.
For instance, let’s assume that electricity costs less where you live between 11 pm and 6 am. You can set the charger to recharge your EV only during that time. Moreover, you can also adjust the charger to start the process only when the battery drops below 70%.
These are just some of the features that smart charging is capable of. It’s quite useful when you want to minimise the costs and ensure your EV always has enough battery life to get you from point A to point B and back again.
For smart charging to actually work, you need the right smart charger that is compatible with your vehicle. What is an EV charger, you ask?
Simply put, it’s a device you mount on a wall socket so that your EV can charge through it. Once that is done, all you need to do is set your preference via an app, and the charger’s algorithms will do the rest. Here’s an example of how this works:
Smart EV chargers offer a lot of benefits, and if you can utilise the full potential of such a charger, you should most certainly get one. As mentioned before, it all comes down to optimising the charging process and vastly reducing costs.
Speaking of costs, you can charge your vehicle pretty much anywhere in the UK. However, depending on the type of charge and the location, the prices may go up significantly. Here are a few examples:
That said, using the example mentioned above, the best and the cheapest option would be to have a home charger, which comes at 24.5p/kWh. With smart optimisation, those costs can further be reduced. That’s great if you’re a homeowner and you can actually install a smart charger in your parking lot or garage.
However, if you live in an apartment, you can’t really benefit from a portable or home charger. But most workplaces in the UK have charging points accessible to employees free of charge, so you can make that work in your favour if you have a portable EV charger on you.
No matter if you can easily afford an EV and the charging that goes with it or not, you’d still want to take an opportunity to cut down on expenses related to the entire process.
This is why smart EV charging is gaining so much popularity among EV owners. But it’s not just the cost reduction that’s driving the popularity of smart charging. In fact, it’s about optimisation.
After all, if you charge your EV the right way, which is usually according to the manufacturer’s specification, your EV’s battery will have a longer and healthier life, while the vehicle itself will enjoy optimal performance.
That said, let’s have a look at a few benefits of using smart chargers for your EV.
If by now you’re convinced that smart EV charges are pretty useful gadgets, you’re in for more pleasant surprises. As a matter of fact, these smart chargers are equipped with a lot more advanced features than meets the eye.
In other words, they are far more capable than what people give them credit for. Of course, it all depends on the model but most models are designed to help you in any way that they can. That being said, here are some of those advanced features that smart EV chargers have in store for you.
Smart chargers for EVs can be quite eco-friendly. If, for example, you’re a homeowner with solar panels installed on the roof of your house, you can program the smart EV charger to store renewable solar energy and use only that energy to charge your EV.
The charger won’t even touch the grid unless you somehow run out of renewable energy, which means you can reduce the costs of charging your EV even further than you thought possible.
Another great feature of smart EV chargers is their ability to manage power usage based on the preferences you’ve previously set. But that’s not all, another feature allows these chargers to prevent overloading your electrical equipment, such as the main fuse, for example. It does so by monitoring the power capacity at all times.
Therefore, if, for instance, your home power supply can handle 60A and your charger uses 40A, the moment another device that uses 40A in your house powers on, the charger’s power consumption will drop to 20A, thus ensuring a balanced distribution of electrical power without blowing the fuse in the process.
Speaking of monitoring the power supply, your smart EV charger will also keep an eye on the state of the grid in real-time. In the past, when grids were built, no one expected that the day would come when a surge in EV vehicles and other devices would put a strain on the electrical grid.
Although the said grid is being constantly upgraded to handle this new demand, it needs a bit of help every now and then. Your smart EV charger will either stop chagrin or lower its consumption if it notices a spike in demand, all for the purpose of not overloading the grid.
While it operates, your smart charger continuously collects data on the overall state of things. That often includes your vehicle’s battery, the charging process, grid conditions and so on.
Based on the data collected and analysed, your charger will generate reports on how to further optimise your EV’s charging, as well as how to further reduce costs.
This is actually quite beneficial as it allows you to keep on top of things and constantly leverage the best conditions and energy prices for your vehicle.
Setting preferences based on which your smart charger will operate is not set in stone. As a matter of fact, you can change them whenever you wish, and you can do so remotely. The app that is supported by your charger allows you to start or stop the charging process at any moment.
Moreover, based on the information the charger provides you with, you can also change charging times, power distribution and other relevant factors concerning the charging process. Therefore, should the grid conditions change or if the peak consumption hours shift for any reason, you can adjust quickly and accordingly without even coming close to your smart EV charger.
Acquiring a smart EV charger is fairly simple, provided you’re aware of the different EV charger types that are available to you. That said, it’s of vital importance that you get the right one so that you can properly charge your EV in any situation. To help you out in your search, here are a few types of chargers you should know about.
Understanding what type of charger you need will also help you pick one of the best smart EV chargers with ease. It all comes down to the model of your vehicle, how you plan to utilise a smart charger and, of course, your budget. That’s why it’s essential that you do some proper research prior to making a purchase.
In a world of networked devices, knowing where to charge your EV properly can be quite useful. You have a portable EV charger with you, and all you need now is a charging station.
Worry not. OVO Charge provides you with an app that can not only help you find the nearest charging station and plan your route to get there but also help you pay and save money regardless of which provider you stumble upon.
No more road anxiety or wondering whether you’ll reach your destination on time or at all. So, don’t hesitate to check and download our app today and see all the awesome features we have prepared for you.
There’s no doubt that EVs are the future if we ever want to get rid of global warming and make our planet as hospitable as it used to be.
However, with the rise of EVs comes a unique set of challenges that smart EV chargers are ready to help solve.
These devices may not seem very special to everyone, but they will help maintain the grid and pave the way for EVs to safely replace fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the near future.
The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of modern technology being made today is smart. But what exactly does that mean? Simply put, smart technology can communicate and work well with other networked technologies and devices.
In an era of electric vehicles, it’s really no surprise that smart EV chargers are now widely available in the market. To be completely honest, EVs aren’t exactly cheap. While some consider them affordable, many people find them outside their budget range.
Then there’s the issue of charging said EVs. It all comes down to whether you can install a home charger or you have to charge your vehicle at a public charging station. So, all in all, the average cost of charging an EV in the UK is around 24.5p per kWh, and one kWh can move an EV for two to three miles.
That would mean a £15 price to fully charge a 60kWh vehicle that can go about 200 miles. Of course, there are ways to reduce these costs, which can vary based on where you live and how you charge your EV, but calculating the exact cost tends to get a bit complicated.
This is where smart charging comes into play, and it can greatly optimise how your vehicle is charged, when and at what cost. So, what is this smart charging and how does it work exactly? Let’s find out.
Smart EV charging is actually an optimised way to recharge your car's battery. Since smart EV chargers can communicate with the grid and your phone’s app, you can create an entire process for your smart charging car in accordance with your preferences.
For instance, let’s assume that electricity costs less where you live between 11 pm and 6 am. You can set the charger to recharge your EV only during that time. Moreover, you can also adjust the charger to start the process only when the battery drops below 70%.
These are just some of the features that smart charging is capable of. It’s quite useful when you want to minimise the costs and ensure your EV always has enough battery life to get you from point A to point B and back again.
For smart charging to actually work, you need the right smart charger that is compatible with your vehicle. What is an EV charger, you ask?
Simply put, it’s a device you mount on a wall socket so that your EV can charge through it. Once that is done, all you need to do is set your preference via an app, and the charger’s algorithms will do the rest. Here’s an example of how this works:
Smart EV chargers offer a lot of benefits, and if you can utilise the full potential of such a charger, you should most certainly get one. As mentioned before, it all comes down to optimising the charging process and vastly reducing costs.
Speaking of costs, you can charge your vehicle pretty much anywhere in the UK. However, depending on the type of charge and the location, the prices may go up significantly. Here are a few examples:
That said, using the example mentioned above, the best and the cheapest option would be to have a home charger, which comes at 24.5p/kWh. With smart optimisation, those costs can further be reduced. That’s great if you’re a homeowner and you can actually install a smart charger in your parking lot or garage.
However, if you live in an apartment, you can’t really benefit from a portable or home charger. But most workplaces in the UK have charging points accessible to employees free of charge, so you can make that work in your favour if you have a portable EV charger on you.
No matter if you can easily afford an EV and the charging that goes with it or not, you’d still want to take an opportunity to cut down on expenses related to the entire process.
This is why smart EV charging is gaining so much popularity among EV owners. But it’s not just the cost reduction that’s driving the popularity of smart charging. In fact, it’s about optimisation.
After all, if you charge your EV the right way, which is usually according to the manufacturer’s specification, your EV’s battery will have a longer and healthier life, while the vehicle itself will enjoy optimal performance.
That said, let’s have a look at a few benefits of using smart chargers for your EV.
If by now you’re convinced that smart EV charges are pretty useful gadgets, you’re in for more pleasant surprises. As a matter of fact, these smart chargers are equipped with a lot more advanced features than meets the eye.
In other words, they are far more capable than what people give them credit for. Of course, it all depends on the model but most models are designed to help you in any way that they can. That being said, here are some of those advanced features that smart EV chargers have in store for you.
Smart chargers for EVs can be quite eco-friendly. If, for example, you’re a homeowner with solar panels installed on the roof of your house, you can program the smart EV charger to store renewable solar energy and use only that energy to charge your EV.
The charger won’t even touch the grid unless you somehow run out of renewable energy, which means you can reduce the costs of charging your EV even further than you thought possible.
Another great feature of smart EV chargers is their ability to manage power usage based on the preferences you’ve previously set. But that’s not all, another feature allows these chargers to prevent overloading your electrical equipment, such as the main fuse, for example. It does so by monitoring the power capacity at all times.
Therefore, if, for instance, your home power supply can handle 60A and your charger uses 40A, the moment another device that uses 40A in your house powers on, the charger’s power consumption will drop to 20A, thus ensuring a balanced distribution of electrical power without blowing the fuse in the process.
Speaking of monitoring the power supply, your smart EV charger will also keep an eye on the state of the grid in real-time. In the past, when grids were built, no one expected that the day would come when a surge in EV vehicles and other devices would put a strain on the electrical grid.
Although the said grid is being constantly upgraded to handle this new demand, it needs a bit of help every now and then. Your smart EV charger will either stop chagrin or lower its consumption if it notices a spike in demand, all for the purpose of not overloading the grid.
While it operates, your smart charger continuously collects data on the overall state of things. That often includes your vehicle’s battery, the charging process, grid conditions and so on.
Based on the data collected and analysed, your charger will generate reports on how to further optimise your EV’s charging, as well as how to further reduce costs.
This is actually quite beneficial as it allows you to keep on top of things and constantly leverage the best conditions and energy prices for your vehicle.
Setting preferences based on which your smart charger will operate is not set in stone. As a matter of fact, you can change them whenever you wish, and you can do so remotely. The app that is supported by your charger allows you to start or stop the charging process at any moment.
Moreover, based on the information the charger provides you with, you can also change charging times, power distribution and other relevant factors concerning the charging process. Therefore, should the grid conditions change or if the peak consumption hours shift for any reason, you can adjust quickly and accordingly without even coming close to your smart EV charger.
Acquiring a smart EV charger is fairly simple, provided you’re aware of the different EV charger types that are available to you. That said, it’s of vital importance that you get the right one so that you can properly charge your EV in any situation. To help you out in your search, here are a few types of chargers you should know about.
Understanding what type of charger you need will also help you pick one of the best smart EV chargers with ease. It all comes down to the model of your vehicle, how you plan to utilise a smart charger and, of course, your budget. That’s why it’s essential that you do some proper research prior to making a purchase.
In a world of networked devices, knowing where to charge your EV properly can be quite useful. You have a portable EV charger with you, and all you need now is a charging station.
Worry not. OVO Charge provides you with an app that can not only help you find the nearest charging station and plan your route to get there but also help you pay and save money regardless of which provider you stumble upon.
No more road anxiety or wondering whether you’ll reach your destination on time or at all. So, don’t hesitate to check and download our app today and see all the awesome features we have prepared for you.
There’s no doubt that EVs are the future if we ever want to get rid of global warming and make our planet as hospitable as it used to be.
However, with the rise of EVs comes a unique set of challenges that smart EV chargers are ready to help solve.
These devices may not seem very special to everyone, but they will help maintain the grid and pave the way for EVs to safely replace fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the near future.
As mentioned before, a smart EV charger is a device that can optimise the charging process for your EV in a way that’s cost-effective, safe and much faster than traditional means. The set of functionalities and features built into EV chargers make them a must-have for every EV owner.
Simply put, a non-smart charger does what it's supposed to do: charge your EV and nothing else. On the other hand, a smart EV charger does the same, but it can be programmed to manage power load, utilise electricity at cheaper rates and ensure your fuses don’t blow due to overload.
The process of smart charging is basically a set of instructions you program into your smart EV charger. Based on your preferences and other criteria, smart charging will ensure your EV’s battery receives the power it needs properly while maintaining the battery’s health and optimal performance in the process.
