Electric vehicles are becoming more common, having experienced a boom in recent years due to their sustainability, energy efficiency, lower maintenance costs, technological advancements, and many other factors. As they become part of daily life for more people, the need for efficient and cost-effective charging systems becomes increasingly evident.
This is why systems like Smart Charging have emerged. Also known as intelligent charging, it is a system that optimisizes the charging of electric cars by optimizing energy consumption and charging time. It achieves this through features that allow for the maximum efficiency of the charging session, which is why this system can save you money when charging your electric vehicle.
Unlike traditional charging, which starts automatically when the vehicle is connected, smart charging allows for efficient management of the charging process. This is done by adjusting the charge to avoid consumption peaks and optimising electricity use during off-peak hours when rates are lower.
How Does Smart Charging Work?
Smart charging focuses on connecting charging points with users and operators through real-time information transmission. Every time an electric vehicle is connected, the charging stations send data such as charging time and speed to a centralised management platform. This type of dynamic load management is often referred to as DLM (Dynamic Load Management).
This data transmission is analysed and visualised automatically in real-time by the platform's software, allowing automated decisions on how and when to charge electric vehicles. In this way, charging operators can easily control and regulate energy use remotely, typically via a mobile application.
Besides optimising energy use, this charging system also helps operators distribute energy appropriately among multiple vehicles, avoiding overloading the electrical grid and exceeding the building's maximum capacity. In regions where electric vehicles are highly integrated, such as Nordic countries, the use of Smart Charging and DLM (Dynamic Load Management) can reduce charging costs by up to 50% compared to traditional charging.
What is the Difference Between Smart Charging and Fast Charging?
Fast charging focuses on increasing the speed at which energy flows into the electric vehicle's battery, allowing it to charge more quickly. In contrast, smart charging enables vehicle owners, companies, and network operators to manage the amount of energy that electric vehicles receive and decide when to start charging to optimise consumption and costs.
In general, standard charging stations (also known as slow charging stations) have a maximum power of 3 kW and require 6 to 12 hours to charge a vehicle. Fast charging stations, usually found in public places, have a power range of 7 to 22 kW and can charge a vehicle in 1 to 6 hours. Rapid chargers, with power levels of 50 to 150 kW, can charge an electric vehicle to 80% in about 20 to 40 minutes.
Electric Vehicle Charge Manager
If you are looking for an advanced and efficient solution for managing electric vehicle charging, the SACI-EVA 2.0 Dynamic Load Manager (DLM) is an excellent option. This dynamic power management system is designed to optimise energy distribution in stations with up to 100 charging points, allowing the integration of chargers from various brands within the same installation. Additionally, it can perform charging using photovoltaic surpluses from the installation.
Now you know what smart charging is. If you are interested in improving the efficiency of electric vehicle charging or have any questions about this or any other product, feel free to contact us so we can address your queries and provide you with personalized advice.