Smart Chargers: The Pocket Book Guide to Smart EV Charging

What is a smart EV charger?

Think of an electric car smart charger as a charging point with a brain. Unlike dumb three-pin plug chargers that trickle electricity into your car and lack any connectivity or functionality, a smart charger directly communicates with your car and even the grid itself to provide maximised, optimised and cheaper electric vehicle charging.

Because of this intelligent functionality, smart EV chargers come jam-packed with smart charging features – a feat that’s impossible with dumber chargers and even public charging points. Each charger skill set is unique to its manufacturer, but popular smart features that typically come pre-locked and loaded include: load balancing, EV tariff integration, and charge scheduling.

More advanced chargers can offer solar compatibility. With the right set-up, you can sync your smart charger with solar panels, soaking up your own renewable energy instead of pulling from the mains. Popular solar models include: the VCHRGD Seven Pro and the Indra Smart Lux.

Though rare, some new-to-market EV chargers even come with bidirectional EV charging; Tech where you can send electricity back to the grid and, in return, be compensated; in essence, by using your EV like a storage battery and selling the unwanted energy.

Despite the different levels of smart charging, as a baseline functionality, EV drivers can set when to charge, finding the sweet spot between charging cost, convenience, and carbon footprint – all at their fingertips.

What’s the difference between smart charging with an EV and a three-pin plug?

The core differences between three-pin plug chargers/granny chargers and EV smart charging stations are that smart units are designed to provide a safer, faster, and smarter way to replenish your electric car’s battery. Three-pin plug chargers are essentially like iPhone chargers; they simply top up your EV’s battery (albeit incredibly slowly).

Note: Three-pin plugs are also recommended in emergencies.

How does smart charging work?

For smart EV charging to work, a connection needs to be established. With this in mind, your charger connects your electric car, the grid and a smartphone through either a Wi-Fi or a mobile connection.

Behind the scenes, your smart charger uses algorithms to decide the best charging time to power up your car, or uses your pre-set data to charge when you want. Sometimes, it might delay charging until after midnight when electricity rates are low, or pause briefly if the grid is under pressure, or if electricity in your house spikes (imagine: your washing machine is on, kids are on the Xbox, your EV charger is on).

Do EV chargers need to be smart?

Since 2021, any EV charger installed needs to be smart, or at the very least, compliant with the smart EV charging regulations put forward by the UK government.

Do I need a smart EV charger?

Legally, any EV charger that you have installed at home must be a smart charger, as mentioned above. That is, unless you opt for a 3-pin plug EV charger (which we don’t recommend).

Regardless, if you own an electric car and you’re serious about convenience, savings, and sustainability, you should want a smart EV charger over costly public charging and slow, dumb granny chargers.

Ask yourself: why plug in dumb when you could plug into cheaper, greener electricity with a smart car battery charger?

Do you need a smart meter for EV charging?

In short, no, not off the bat. However, if you want to charge with cheaper, greener energy with EV tariffs down the line, you will need a smart meter to integrate with the EV tariff and access the cheaper energy prices.

What are the benefits of smart electric car chargers?

The benefits of smart chargers for electric cars are impossible to ignore. Let’s explore the key perks:

1. Save money: Charge when electricity is cheapest (off-peak), and watch your home charging bills shrink. Top tip: To significantly reduce costs, combine charge scheduling with an EV tariff, and top-up for as little as 7p per kWh (Intelligent Octopus Go).
2. Save your energy and the grid: Use power efficiently. Allow your smart charger to draw less during peak times and help balance the grid. Plus, you can save your own energy by sitting back, relaxing, and prioritising more important tasks.
3. Save the planet: Slash your carbon footprint by charging your vehicle when electricity prices are at their cheapest and greenest. When, and how? During off-peak hours, solar and wind generated electricity is used, creating a more sustainable way to charge your EV. Use that to your advantage. Or go the extra mile, and top up with free, surplus solar energy by choosing a smart EV charger with solar compatibility, too.
4. Save time: Automate your smart EV charging so it fits seamlessly into your life. Wake up with a full battery with just a touch of a button and the smartness of your tech.
5. Save on stress: Have complete peace of mind by knowing your electric car will always be ready and waiting whenever you need it. Forget detours to public charging stations and panic over leaving your three-pin plug charging overnight.

Bonus benefit: If you’re the kind who likes data at your fingertips, you’ll love the real-time stats, usage reports, and energy tracking that certain smart chargers, such as the Ohme Home Pro, deliver.

Slash charging rates now by charging at home. Get your smart charger.

Choose We Power Your Car, and sit back and relax as we handle your smart charging point supply and installation from start to finish. With close partnerships to a number of leading manufacturers, we have a wide range of smart EV chargers available for your perusal, in addition to comprehensive installation packages, all completed by our nationwide accredited, experienced and DBS-checked installers.

Whether it’s charger choice, DNO application, grant availability, installation, and aftercare, we handle it all – all with first class customer service.

Don’t believe us? Take a closer look at our Trustpilot Reviews – we have over 1,800 of them.

Browse our market-leading range of the best smart EV charging points, or get your quick, free quote below.