Smart EV Charging: How It Works and Saves You Money

What is smart EV charging?

Smart EV charging allows your electric car, home EV charger and electricity tariff to work together to control when the vehicle charges. Instead of charging as soon as you plug in, the system can schedule charging for cheaper electricity periods, helping reduce home EV charging costs without requiring you to manage every charging session manually.

Basic smart charging — scheduled charging

Your EV charger or electric car has a built-in charging schedule. You choose when charging can take place — for example, between midnight and 5am if those are the cheapest hours on your electricity tariff — and the vehicle charges within that window. Scheduled charging is available on most modern smart EV chargers and many electric cars through their own apps or controls.

Advanced smart charging — automatic tariff optimisation

Some specialist EV tariffs and smart charging services go further by automatically choosing the cheapest charging periods. For example, tariffs such as Intelligent Octopus can use the available charging window to identify lower-cost periods and schedule your EV accordingly. The system can take account of electricity prices, grid demand and other factors, so you do not have to manually choose each charging slot.

How to set up smart EV charging

1. Open your EV charger or vehicle app — common systems include Ohme, myenergi Zappi, Wallbox and Pod Point, although the exact controls vary by manufacturer.
2. Find the scheduling or smart charging settings — this may be labelled “schedule”, “smart charging”, “off-peak” or something similar.
3. Set the charging start time to the point when your cheaper electricity rate begins.
4. Set the charging end time to the end of your discounted or off-peak period.
5. Choose your target battery level — around 80% is commonly suitable for everyday driving, while charging to 100% can make sense before a longer journey when recommended for your vehicle.
6. Set your departure time so the system knows when the car needs to be ready. A compatible smart charger can then plan charging around your tariff and the time you need to leave.

The biggest savings come when smart charging is combined with an EV-friendly electricity tariff, particularly one offering cheaper overnight or time-of-use rates. Always check the tariff’s charging window, unit prices, standing charge and any smart-charging requirements before switching.