Charge Anytime with Kia

Yeah, I agree with that. It’ll probably happen eventually, but it relies on infrastructure that just isn’t ready yet…

Only time will tell.

Probably exactly the same words to describe Ohme at some point!

​@WileyC  If you prefer the Hypervolt you could maybe use a mini 4G/WiFi device such as a TP-Link M7000 or something similar with 4G/LAN connectivity.

Hey ​@WileyC,

Regarding ​@oho's excellent suggestion about a Wi-Fi extender, they are indeed very useful for extending coverage to areas with weak signals and are readily available nowadays.

While infrastructure improvements are progressing well, it's crucial to ensure alignment and avoid the proprietary software/hardware challenges that the technology world has long faced. We need to instill confidence in both new and existing customers that purchasing an EV or charger won't be a confusing experience. As you’ve said, there are currently many complexities and considerations. Fortunately, you're in the right place, and any of our members are happy to provide help

It may also be worth seeing if a more powerful Wi-Fi Router might help. ISP ones tend to be pretty wimpy because they’re cheap, but you can use your own instead if you don’t mind doing a little bit of setup - but it’s not generally too bad!

I’m quite a fan of Ubiquiti UniFi myself, but there’s other options as well. Long story short, something with more power should have more range, so if your garage isn’t far from the house, you might be able to pull it off that way.

I have a fairly powerful non-ISP provided mesh router but it would need to reach down 2 floors and into a basement. I have been experimenting but it’s not reaching for now. I think I have settled for the Indra for now but as with the Ohme router the problem is that OVO may de-support that and then I likely can’t fall back to direct to vehicle as that is unreliable. I’m fairly technical so can navigate the layers of possible integration here but I can imagine the average non technical consumer would struggle with the options available and the considerations related to each option. I’m sure it will all get better in time but right now it’s not an ideal situation.

in the case of direct to vehicle I’m also concerned about giving up login details to my Kia account. One hack on OVO (or whatever partner they use to store charging/account data) and someone can locate and drive my car away. 

Indra only recently migrated to the new setup - I very much doubt that’ll get dropped anytime soon.

As for Kia? Your passwords are safe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDZjm4f9CEo

Probably getting a bit off topic but my understanding is that OVO need your Kia account details so that the OVO app can talk to your car to enable charging. If they have the login and password (not encrypted) that’s all anyone would need to remotely access your vehicle as Kia don’t have 2FA enabled on their account security to prevent someone logging into your account without your permission. Not sure if OVO can comment on how they store car account login details.

​@WileyC  The powerline extenders might get down the 2 floors, just depends how you circuits are setup in the building. But thats why I mentioned the 4G routers. If you have 4G down there then your home router/broadband is not involved. That expands your charger options beyond Indra.

No power sockets in shared car parking garage for power line adapters to work or to power a 4g router. Thanks all for responses.

​@WileyC I thought you were looking to get a charger installed down there (if you dont go down the direct EV integration), in which case the installers could integrate a socket from the local CU or even power a router via the charger supply (maybe not the latter). Just an option before you commit to the install.

Yep I did think about that but an open power socket in a shared garage is a little open to abuse hence why there are none in the garage now. Will prob just go the 4G dongle route via the Indra. 

OVO never finds out your Kia login details because it doesn’t even get to see them. The setup process sends you over to Kia to enter those details and Kia then sends you back to OVO with a token that permits just the required access to your Kia account to make things work. OVO can’t access anything else because it doesn’t have permission to do so - and this token works in place of your password for Charge Anytime functionality.

The token also cannot be used to login via the web/app either - it’ll get rejected if used in places it shouldn’t be!

Ok that makes more sense. Thanks for clarifying. Kia doesn’t have a great record on security!

True, but the way it works means that at least Kia can’t access your OVO account!