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The ultimate guide

After reading this guide, you’ll know everything there is to know about smart EV charging ⚡️

1. What is smart EV charging?

Smart EV charging or intelligent charging refers to a system where an electric vehicle and a charging device share a data connection, and the charging device shares a data connection with a charging operator.

As opposed to traditional (or dumb) charging devices that aren’t connected to the cloud, smart charging allows the charging station owner to monitor, manage, and restrict the use of their devices remotely to optimise energy consumption.

What-is-smart-charging

 

With cloud-based solutions, only the sky is the limit (pun intended). Smart EV charging service can be modified: adding and removing features and creating a system that suits your needs is effortless. 

New features can also be added and updated to existing charging stations. 

This is why smart EV charging is future-proof. Changing demands and hopes will be turned into new features and added to the smart system as the world changes.

Electric cars connected to the grid with smart charging create a symbiosis with the power grid — they support each other. This connection wouldn't exist without smart charging, and electric vehicles (EVs) could burden the grid.

Psst! We recently worked with Eurelectric and BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions to put together this handy video that illustrates how smart charging works. 👇 

 

 

 

2. How do smart EV charging stations work?

Smart electric car chargers are powered by an intelligent back-end solution that brings real-time data from connected charging devices and charging events to the charging station owner’s fingertips.

As stations and charging sessions are connected to the cloud, they can be managed based on various signals, such as fickle energy production, local electricity consumption, the amount of other vehicles being charged, or electrical devices being used on a nearby premise.

To create a more sustainable energy system based on renewable energy sources, EV charging has to be smart.

 

What happens during a smart charging event?

Smart charging requires an electric car driver to identify at the charging station. Identification connects the EV driver, charging point, and the charging event together.

The right price will be charged from the right customer, and money will be directed to the correct charging station owner. And because it’s smart, everything happens automatically.

Identification is effortless for EV drivers registered to the charging service: they just log in to the mobile application and start charging or show their RFID tag to the charger. Unregistered users can also use the stations and pay with a credit or debit card.

The charging event itself happens based on the settings and prices the station owner sets. The station can be part of a station group and include many smart features occurring in the background, but for the end-user, charging an electric car is as easy as it can be: they simply identify and plug in.

The number of smart EV charging service providers is increasing, and all these service providers have their own charging platforms. This causes no trouble for EV drivers when cars are charged smartly, thanks to roaming networks

Most smart charging platforms, like ours, are connected to roaming platforms. Through roaming, customers can charge at any station with just one customer account. In practice, one customer account is enough to enable driving around in Europe.

 

how-does-smart-ev-charging-work

 

 

3. The benefits of intelligent charging Systems

Intelligent charging systems for electric cars are incredibly beneficial for the energy market. But good things come in plenty: smartness is profitable for electric car drivers, charging station owners and charging network operators as well.

Here's how EV drivers, businesses and EV charging networks can benefit from a smart electric vehicle charging solution.

 

Benefits to EV drivers

Wouldn’t it be tempting to think that it doesn’t matter where you charge your vehicle as long as it gets charged?

Unfortunately, that's not the case.

Here are the key benefits of smart charging for EV drivers.

 

BrandedApps-iconFind available charging stations for EVs

Find available public charging points easily on a mobile app and reserve their charging spot on the go. The mobile application displays information about the charging speed and price and real-time data about the availability of EV smart chargers.

EnergyManagement-iconAccess fast chargers

TThe smart device will automatically use the maximum amount of energy available. The maximum charge level for most smart devices is 22 kW. Fast charging stations can charge even with a maximum power of 150kW, thus reducing charging time for vehicles with compatible charging connectors and battery capacity. Read about how rapid charging is slowly becoming the norm in Europe.

 

HealthChecks-iconCharge safer

Especially compared to a household socket, a smart charging device is a much safer and more carefree option. Smart devices automatically test the connection between your vehicle and the device before they start charging. All charging events are being monitored and can be controlled remotely. 

 

CustomerCommunication-iconAvoid arguments with neighbors

If charging at home can be liberating for EV drivers, it can also generate tension if the chargers don’t allow proper tracing.

Smart charging makes it possible to avoid unnecessary arguments and disputes on energy consumption between neighbours, as consumption data can be easily traced back to the right person.

With smart car charging, all EV drivers are billed after charging based on the station's pricing. It all happens automatically: neither you as an EV driver nor the charging point owner, has to worry about payments. Automated billing is based on customer identification; thus, the charging event only starts when you have successfully identified yourself at the station with the mobile app, RFID tags or the one-time payment service.

 

Payments-Invoicing-iconsSave money and the environment

You'll also save money and protect the environment by automatically optimising the timing of your charging event to favour charging when electricity is at its cheapest. Optimising the charging event to take place during the low electricity consumption hours is not only cheaper but also helps in balancing the grid. The number of EV drivers is growing, and more flexibility will soon be needed. Energy companies can even offer incentives to EV drivers for charging with lower power, timing their charging events at low consumption hours or enabling their car batteries to be momentarily used as power reserves.

Psst! There's more where that came from

If you're interested in reading more about the benefits of smart charging to EV drivers, check out this blog post.
Read more

 

Benefits of electric vehicle charging to businesses

Much like consumers, businesses also have much to gain from smart EV charging. Actually, doing it the smart way is the only sensible and future-proof solution.

Smart charging allows you to:

 

StationManagement-iconMonitor EV charging events remotely

You'll get access to a smart management system that lets you monitor and control charging events remotely, view usage statistics, and report issues. All your stations are connected to the charging platform and thus to each other. You can group stations and manage them in a stack. This enables, for instance, limiting the charging power of a station group. Pricing packages and charging station information can also be edited conveniently.

 

Payments-Invoicing-iconsStop worrying about payments

Wouldn't it be nice if you had access to a hassle-free billing system that charges customers either through their Virta account or directly from their payment cards? When it comes to payments and billing, you don’t have to do anything. EV drivers are billed automatically based on your prices, and we’ll transfer the income to you monthly.

 

Payments-Invoicing-iconsTake control of your electricity consumption

You'll also get controlled charging events so that you don’t have to worry about exceeding the capacity of your local grid or paying an arm and a leg in the form of your electricity bill. By grouping stations together, you can save money since the need to grow the electrical connection can be avoided. If the maximum charging power set for the station group is exceeded, the charging power drops down automatically at all stations in the group.

 

HealthChecks-icon-1Get peace of mind

However, the most important benefit of a smart electric car charging system is quite simple: it allows you to stay focused on your main business. Once installed, the charging station doesn’t require your attention — unless you want to keep up with the statistics and business figures.

Can't get enough?

That's okay. We won't judge. Just hop on over to this blog post about the benefits of smart charging to business owners.
Read more

 

Benefits to EV charging networks

To utility companies building their own EV charging networks, a smart charging solution for EVs is an absolute necessity. After all, how else would you serve multiple charging stations through your own network?

Smart charging helps EV charging networks to:

 

EnergyManagement-iconStabilize the grid

Smart charging events can be controlled based on various signals; for example, charging can be automatically set to start when electricity demand is at its lowest. The ability to control charging based on different energy production and consumption signals offers you new business opportunities. Energy management features should be provided for EV drivers as an opportunity to participate in demand response voluntarily. Consumers also need incentives and information.

 

Roaming-iconKeep up with the changing world

The pace of change in the mobility sector is rapid, and not all future needs can be predicted. Smart charging services in the cloud can be updated, changed and developed on the go. When you purchase a smart charging solution, you purchase an up-to-date service.

 

StationManagement-iconEasily manage a number of smart EV charging stations

As a network operator, you can create device groups, pricing models and packages for end customers. Testing different prices and managing station groups is effortless. We’ll help you use the management tools to make the most of the smart system.

 

CustomerCommunication-iconStay up to date on your business

Keeping up with your business is more effortless than ever: All actions at your charging stations are visible in the management system and collected into convenient and easy-to-read overviews. You can follow the key metrics and statistics and even view individual station events.

 

4. The elements of intelligent charging

Smart EV charging point devices

All electric vehicles are compatible with smart charging devices, but not all charging devices are smart.

‘Smart’ is a word used a lot lately. But a smart device has to include some characteristics to be fully applicable to all the future-proof feature possibilities smart charging offers.

When selecting a charging device, consider at least these three things:

  1. Make sure the stations can connect to the cloud. Devices should include, for example, a GPRS or 3G connection to communicate with the service. 
  2. Devices should include a standardised socket type: Type 2, or CHAdeMO and CCS Combo in case of a fast charging device.
  3. Devices should be compatible with the backend of your choosing. The most common standard protocol is OCPP, Open Charge Point Protocol, which allows you to mix and match different software and hardware to create a comprehensive charging experience.

The newer the standard version, the better, but the most important thing is that the chosen device and platform follow the same standard version.

The good news is that most smart charging platforms won’t force you into a vendor trap — and we’re no different. Virta allows you to choose your devices from a long list of supported vendors and types of chargers. Currently, we follow OCPP 1.5, 1.6, and 2.0 and keep updating as new versions come out. Check out the full list of smart charging devices we support.

 

Smart EV charging features

While smart devices are a prerequisite for smart EV charging, the real heroes of the story are the smart features of the EV charging platform.

 

The admin panel

The admin panel is your best friend if you happen to operate multiple charging points across multiple locations. This is where you can set the price for public charging stations, manage your stations remotely, and view and download usage statistics.

The admin panel provides tools that help you become familiar with your station statistics and make changes in the features, station details and prices based on key metrics. As the charging network operator, you can also manage the information about your customers, registrations and RFID tag shipments in the admin panel.

In short, it allows you to be active in station management, but in practice, everything runs smoothly without your active participation. We’ll take care of all the behind-the-scenes tasks so you can keep your focus on your main business.

 

Automatic payments & billing

Automatic payments and billing are another convenient feature you’ll gain by investing in smart charging. Instead of manually charging your customers or employees after their charging events, the platform does it for you. And the best part? Your customers are free to choose how they want to pay. From RFID tags to the mobile app and one-time payments using a payment card, all you have to do is sit back and relax as the money flows in.

 

Mobile & web apps for the end-users

Mobile & web apps for the end-users take your customer experience to a new level. They allow drivers to find and reserve available charging points, add their favourite stations, view their charging history and more. Thanks to its smartness, the mobile application shows real-time data about the charging stations to the EV drivers. The mobile application is everything EV drivers need for charging.

 

Roaming

Roaming helps charging station owners to attract more users and gain more income. For EV drivers, roaming allows charging at tens of thousands of stations in a number of ways, such as through third-party applications or cards. Roaming improves the user experience and functions the same way as mobile data roaming. Smartness is a requirement for roaming, as the devices have to be connected to the roaming networks. Virta is currently connected with the roaming networks of Hubject and Gireve.

 

Dynamic load management

Dynamic load management (or DLM) is such a pivotal concept in smart EV charging that it’s sometimes mistakenly used as a synonym for all smart features. In reality, dynamic load management refers to a smart charging platform’s ability to automatically distribute the available power between the building and the electric vehicles being charged simultaneously. In other words, DLM helps you protect the local grid from peak loads and saves you from the hassle of upgrading the building’s energy infrastructure.

 

Energy management features

Energy management features are the key components in connecting EVs to the grid. Without smart charging stations, electric cars can't be used to support the electricity system without smart charging stations. Watch this video to understand the symbiosis of electric cars and the energy system.👇

 

Still want to learn more about V2G? Check out our comprehensive guide about vehicle-to-grid and its' possibilities.

 

5. Why Virta?

Virta offers the world’s fastest and most cost‑effective channel to launch, grow and operate commercial services in the EV charging ecosystem – as a primary business or as a value-added service.

Knowledge is part of our DNA; we have the ability and ambition to build best-in-class services that work today and in the future.

This is how we empower our customers to make a positive change – for profitability and the planet:

 

Minimum effort, maximum benefits

The time to start offering EV charging services is now. But traditionally, operating an EV charging business comes with a long list of responsibilities: customer support, technical problem solving, payments, customer credit risk, roaming services, and charger management, just to name a few. Building the necessary capabilities and infrastructure takes time and money.

What if you could immediately skip all the heavy lifting and become an EV charging service provider?

With Virta, you can. Our Virta branded solution allows you to offer EV charging under your brand while Virta handles all the complexities of running the service. We make running an EV charging business easy. Minimum effort, maximum benefit.

Want to know more? Take a look at what it takes to run an EV charging business.

Reach your full potential

Electric vehicle charging services can be offered on multiple levels: you can offer EV charging to your customers as a value-adding service or own thousands of smart EV chargers nationwide.

Whatever your business model, the Virta platform enables you to reach your full potential. Our platform is the perfect partnership between innovation, quality, adaptability and efficiency.

Hidden costs are a real pain in the world of EV charging. With Virta’s highly scalable digital plug-and-play platform solution, you can avoid hidden costs, run the world’s most efficient EV charging business and grow. We provide you with all the tools you need to build a business around EV charging.

 

A global leader in energy management solutions

EVs are essentially big batteries on wheels. They are the most important new source of flexibility and an essential element in the renewable-based energy system. Virta platform integrates EVs and energy systems into an embedded ecosystem.

We are recognised as a global market leader in Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology and energy management. Virta lets you take charge of your energy and create value from energy flexibility.  If you'd like to read more about our energy management solutions, click here. 👇

Read more about our energy management solutions

 

6. Further reading

NRDC: Smart EV charging – what's in it for you?

EVs do more than just drive you around. With the right systems and incentives in place, EVs can help the power grid and fill your wallet doing so. 

Read the whole article >>

McKinsey: Electric vehicle infrastructure demand

Access to efficient charging could become a roadblock to electric-vehicle uptake. Let’s look at the numbers and costs behind the problem.

Read the whole article >>

CCV: The future of payment solutions in EV charging

In this article, the authors will explore the challenges related to EV charging payments, and propose solutions based on existing and future technology.

Read the whole article >>

UCS: What is smart charging? A look at how electric vehicles fit in

Can electric vehicles allow the grid to accommodate greater levels of variable renewable energy? That’s what Peter O'Connor is looking to find out.

Read the whole article >>