WHO's IN CHARGE of the CHARGING?Navigating Conflicts in Smart Tariffs and Charging Apps for Electric Vehicles
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
If you are getting or have an EV - then most likely you will be looking for a charger to be installed at home. If you have gone to the trouble of all this - then you are also likely to enjoy saving money on running costs as well as helping reduce CO2 emmissions in line with the govenrments Net Zero target (and the author would commend you highly for it!)
In order to take full advantage of all this - you will probably be looking at one of the energy companies smart or intelligent EV Tarifs (more about that in theother blogs on our site).
Sometimes not all this is straightforward and it can often be downright confusing especially as more players enter the charging ecosystem, conflicts arise when multiple systems try to control the same charging session. This post explores the challenges that occur when a smart tariff, an electric vehicle app, and a charging app all attempt to manage charging simultaneously. Understanding these conflicts is essential for EV owners, app developers, and energy providers to ensure smooth, efficient charging experiences and having the right installer can help guide you through some of these challeges.
How Smart Tariffs Influence EV Charging
Smart tariffs are electricity pricing schemes designed to encourage charging during off-peak hours or when renewable energy supply is high. These tariffs can lower costs for EV owners but require the charging session to respond dynamically to price signals.
Dynamic pricing: Tariffs change hourly or even more frequently, incentivizing users to charge when electricity is cheapest.
Automated control: Smart tariffs often come with software that can start, stop, or adjust charging power to optimize costs.
Grid balancing: By shifting charging loads, smart tariffs help reduce strain on the electrical grid.
While smart tariffs offer clear benefits, their control mechanisms can clash with other apps that also want to manage charging.
The Role of Electric Vehicle Apps in Charging Management
EV apps, often provided by vehicle manufacturers or third parties, give drivers control over their charging sessions. These apps typically allow users to:
Schedule charging times
Monitor battery status and charging progress
Set charging limits or preferences
Access remote start/stop functions
EV apps prioritize user convenience and vehicle health, sometimes overriding external signals to protect battery life or meet driver needs. This can conflict with smart tariff controls that seek to optimize cost or grid usage.
Charger Apps and Their Control Functions
Charger apps, that come with your EV Charger manage the interaction between the EV and the charger. Their features include:
Starting and stopping charging sessions
Authorizing sessions
Displaying real-time charging data
Setting schedules for charging
In some cases using excess solar PV electricity to put into a vehicle
These apps focus on the control and functionality of the EV charger
Where Conflicts Arise
When a smart tariff, an EV app, and a charging app all try to control the same charging session, several conflicts can occur:
Competing commands: Each system may send different instructions to start, stop, or adjust charging power, causing confusion or erratic behavior.
Priority clashes: Without clear rules, apps may override each other, leading to unexpected charging interruptions or missed cost-saving opportunities.
Data synchronization issues: Inconsistent or delayed communication between apps and chargers can result in inaccurate charging status or billing errors.
User frustration: Drivers may find it difficult to understand why charging behaves unpredictably or why apps contradict each other.
For example, a smart tariff might reduce charging power during peak hours, but the EV app could override this to complete charging faster. Meanwhile, the charging app might pause the session due to network load, creating a confusing situation.
Normally the upshot of this - is a car thats not in the state the owner expects it to be in in the morning
Strategies to Resolve Conflicts
It can take a lot of trial and error to get your system set up right - and to be able to 100% trust that it will do what you want it to do.
Normally cheap electric is from say 23:00-06:00 - so most of this happens when everyone is tucked up in bed.
Other than constantly waking up to check the status of the charger and the vehicle on the relevant apps - you don't know if it has worked until the morning - when you are back on peak rate.
It important to use an EV charge installer who is going to be willing and able to help you through this initial set up.
To make matters worse - perhaps you get a second EV in the family - and suddenly that throws a spanner in the proverbial works - again - choosing the right installer - who have been around for a while and have good reviews etc. can pay dividends on getting these annoyances quickly out of the way.
Real-World Examples
UK’s smart charging pilots: Trials involving smart tariffs and EV apps showed that clear communication and user education are key to avoiding conflicts.
Octopus, Ohme and a Battery: You have a battery which you charge up between 23:30 and 05:30 on cheap rate. Load management is set to enable the car to charge as well - but when you plug the car in at say 14:00 - the Ohme finds that Octopus has an unscheduled 30 minute of cheap rate - and the Battery drains into your car leaving nothing stored for the evening.
Hidden schedules in Apps: Sometimes there are things set up as default in certain vehicle based apps - preconditioning for example - these can stop the charge from completing during cheap rate hours.
The Future of EV Charging Control
As EV adoption grows, the complexity of managing charging sessions will increase. Future solutions may include:
AI-driven coordination: Artificial intelligence could dynamically balance inputs from tariffs, apps, and user preferences.
Unified platforms: Single apps or platforms that integrate tariff data, vehicle control, and charging station management.
Enhanced standards: Broader adoption of communication and control standards to ensure seamless interoperability.
Summary
Conflicts between smart tariffs, EV apps, and charging apps arise because each system tries to control charging for different reasons: cost savings, user convenience, or infrastructure management. These conflicts can lead to unpredictable charging behavior and user frustration. Clear priorities, standardized communication, user control options, and collaboration among developers are essential to navigate these challenges. As technology advances, more integrated and intelligent solutions will help EV owners enjoy efficient, cost-effective, and hassle-free charging experiences.
Understanding these dynamics empowers EV drivers to make informed choices about their charging setups and encourages industry players to build better, more compatible systems. The future of EV charging depends on cooperation and clarity among all parties involved.
Upshot
Do your homework if you are tech savvy - but also choose a charger/tariff that's recommended for you by your installer. Many installers will fit the charger - commission it and leave to to it - some - like EV Electrical will go the extra mile and support you for months - even sometimes years after the product has been fitted.
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