What is smart EV charging?
As with a lot of things, different people have different needs. For some people, the important thing about EV charging is charging their EV – that’s it, it just needs to work. These people don’t necessarily care about charging their car at a specific time or when electricity prices are at their lowest. Other people want what’s called smart charging.
They want to schedule when to charge – or ensure that their car charges automatically when the electricity price is at its lowest. Cause, let’s face it, by charging smart, you can reduce your charging costs considerably.
–A lot of people come home from work in the afternoon and start charging their car right away. This can quickly become expensive as you end up charging from around 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – a period of time when the electricity price often is at its highest.
Rather, by keeping an eye on electricity prices and charging when electricity is at its cheapest, often during the night, you can cut your charging costs in half.Fredrik Erland Lima, CEO & Co-Founder of amina
There are different ways to charge smart. A common misconception is that you need a smart charger to charge smart. The actual charger is located in the car, and most electric cars today have the built-in technology and functionality that makes them smart enough to let us customize when and how we charge them. Your charging box (e.g. an Amina Charger) works to ensure a safe and efficient way to control the flow of energy from the fuse box, through the charging cable and to your car.
Different ways to schedule your EV charging:
Use the smart charging solutions in your car:
In the majority of newer electric cars, you can schedule when you want the car to draw power from your charging box. This is done directly from the car’s dashboard or from the car manufacturer’s app.
Use the smart charging solutions from your electricity provider.
Many electricity providers offer smart charging solutions that allow you to charge your car automatically when electricity prices are at their lowest. Tibber and Haugaland Kraft are good examples of such providers. They both allow you to connect your car to their apps, regardless of which charger you have at home. Lyse is also launching a smart charging solution in the near future.
By using the smart charging solutions provided by your car or electricity provider, the only thing you really need is a charging box that ensures safe and efficient charging. Like the Amina charger. Together they’re smart.
Smart charging apps
You can find free smart charging apps that let you connect your car and electricity prices. These apps recommend when to charge your electric vehicle to save money on lower electricity rates. They also provide insights into your charging costs and savings.
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