What does Smart Charging mean?

Explanation

Smart charging is an umbrella term for systems that intelligently manage when and how fast your car charges, based on signals beyond just 'charge as fast as possible.' These signals can include electricity prices (charge when it is cheap), grid demand (reduce power during peak hours), renewable energy availability (charge when the sun is shining), or building load management (do not exceed the site's power limit).

At home, smart charging typically means your wallbox delays or modulates charging based on your electricity tariff or solar panel output. At workplaces and commercial sites, smart charging coordinates many cars to stay within the building's power budget. At the grid level, smart charging can help balance supply and demand by shifting EV charging to off-peak hours.

From a driver's perspective, smart charging should be invisible. You plug in, set your departure time, and the system figures out the optimal charging schedule. If electricity is cheapest between midnight and 6 AM, it charges then. If your building is approaching its power limit, it slows your charge temporarily. As long as your car is ready when you need it, the mechanics do not matter.

For current specifications, see Open Charge Alliance.

Where you'll see this

• In charging network apps
• On your car dashboard

Common confusion

Smart charging does not mean slower charging. It means optimized charging. Your car still charges to your target level by your departure time, just at the most efficient and cost-effective times.

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