The benefits of Smart Charging on a flat rate tariff

We’ve put together a handy guide that answers some of the most common questions from our customers on Smart Charging. In a hurry? Watch our video.

Smart charging schedules your home electric vehicle charging for when it’s cheapest, greenest and most grid-friendly. Our algorithm looks ahead 24 hours and selects the best times to charge based on your energy tariff and the estimated carbon intensity of the grid.

Usually, drivers come home from work, plug in, and start charging right away – but this coincides with the natural peaks in domestic energy demand. Smart charging presses “pause” on charging until the demand in the house has gone down, and greener, cheaper energy is more readily available. Optimising charging to take place during these low electricity consumption hours is not only cheaper, but also helps in balancing the electricity grid.

How is Smart Charging better for the environment?

Using your country’s carbon intensity forecasts, we will align the times at which we charge your EV with periods where there is an excess energy supply from renewable sources such as wind and solar. One year of Smart Charging saves 140kg of carbon – the equivalent to the carbon sequestered in seven 10-year-old trees.

And if you have solar panels, our Solar Smart Charging feature allows you to charge your car with your own, free, 100% renewable solar energy, no matter what car or charger you own.

I’m on a flat rate tariff, can I still save any money?

As you are actively helping the grid, you can earn cash rewards through our smart rewards programme. You are able to redeem these points on money-off vouchers, or donating to charities like Carbon Footprint or The Fuel Bank Foundation.