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RM84
Rank 1
March 17, 2023
Solved

Preconditioning settings like pre-heat from my BMW EV app not working due to clashing with OVO's Charge Anytime?

  • March 17, 2023
  • 109 replies
  • 4110 views

Good Morning,

 

I’ve recently added Charge Anytime to our account, however as our charger (Zappi v2) isn’t compatible, I’ve gone down the route of linking the Charge Anytime app directly with the car itself (BMW i4), which is where the problems have started.

 

So to provide context, before we added Charge Anytime, I was using the My BMW app to control the charging, preconditioning and vehicle preferences. In my case I had a schedule set up, so the car would precondition the batteries and warm the cabin prior to departure, however since the Ovo app ‘took over’, the preconditioning functionality has gone haywire.

 

It appears that the schedule I had in place (Mon-Fri 7am departure), keeps being replaced with bizarre times of the day and night (I had a random 3am departure scheduled the other night) and no matter how many times I go back to reset, it keeps happening.

 

Somehow the Ovo app is clashing with the manufacturers app and essentially rendering the preconditioning functionality useless, which is a problem. If the Ovo app does need to be the dominant app for controlling the car, it needs more functionality. Did any issues arise during testing, Ovo? I’d be interested to know.

 

Has anyone else experienced anything like this yet? If this continues I’ll probably uninstall it, as in my opinion, essential vehicle functions shouldn’t be compromised as a trade off for having a cheaper electricity rate to charge your car.

 

Any help and advice would be appreciated.

    Best answer by Tim_OVO

    Updated on 14/04/26 by Abby_OVO

     

    Hi @RM84 @KC1986 and thank you for coming together hear to flag this. Since July 2025, zappi have integrated compatibility with Charge Anytime, check out the topic below for more on this:

     

     

    Who can get Charge Anytime?

     

    There are now two ways you can get Charge Anytime:

     

    You must have an eligible EV or Smart Charger, we’re constantly looking into ways to broaden eligibility of this product so if your technology isn’t currently on this list keep an eye on our page for updates!

     

    I’m told that for some vehicles, including BMW & MINI, our Charge Anytime smart charging control automatically overwrites any existing pre-conditioning schedules.


    Our technical analysts are working hard to try and rectify the issue, but it might take some time given how our smart charging control currently operates.

     

    If anyone’s affected by this issue, please make our team aware. You can do this by getting in touch with the Charge Anytime team directly via your preferred contact method on the topic below:

     

     

     

    The following topic may also be helpful:

     

    109 replies

    Show previous replies
    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    November 17, 2023

    Hi @KPBham , from an earlier post 

    The Charge Anytime app is used for direct to vehicle (D2V) control. Where a customer has an eligible vehicle but does not have an eligible charger, they should use the D2V app. Where a customer has an eligible charger (regardless of whether or not their vehicle is eligible), they should use the charger app.

    I’m not sure about your other points except that you will need to use the prescribed method to get the savings

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      K
      Newcomer
      KPBham
      Newcomer
      November 17, 2023

      Thanks, i’m guessing I have a compatible charger ?!?

      So, basically I should use ovo anytime app to charge?

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      November 17, 2023

      Thanks, i’m guessing I have a compatible charger ?!?

       

       

      No, their compatible chargers are Ohme and Indra 

       


      So, basically I should use ovo anytime app to charge?

      The anytime app is for D2V (Direct to Vehicle) control so without a compatible charger, yes

      Details on the web here https://www.ovoenergy.com/electric-cars/charge-anytime-cars-and-chargers

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
        K
        Newcomer
        KPBham
        Newcomer
        November 17, 2023

        Thanks :)
        Ahh yes, when i set up the anytime app I connected to Indra i think. Deffo worked otherwise it wouldn’t charge according to OVO. 

          BPLightlog
          Super User
          BPLightlogSuper User
          Super User
          November 17, 2023

          Thanks :)
          Ahh yes, when i set up the anytime app I connected to Indra i think. Deffo worked otherwise it wouldn’t charge according to OVO. 

          Ok - the system works with either a compatible charger or a compatible EV .. from what I can see the iX1 is listed so it should work with Pod Point. 
           

          Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
            Jeffus
            Rank 20
            Jeffus
            Rank 20
            November 22, 2023

            I’m also in the same boat with the Ix1, the 1st range of precondition setting get messed up when plugged into the charger and all the others get switched off.

            I have the solo podpoint which is not compatible.

            Instead of just pausing the charge the OVO app changes the departure to some random time and day.

            I’ll email smarthome@ovoenergy.com and see if I get a response 

            Did you manage to sort this out with the smarthome team @bmenagh ?

            Jeffus
            Rank 20
            Jeffus
            Rank 20
            November 22, 2023

            Same boat here too

            Did you try emailing the smart home team for advice @NeVeTaS ?

            smarthome@ovoenergy.com

            B
            Newcomer
            bmenagh
            Newcomer
            November 23, 2023

            I’m also in the same boat with the Ix1, the 1st range of precondition setting get messed up when plugged into the charger and all the others get switched off.

            I have the solo podpoint which is not compatible.

            Instead of just pausing the charge the OVO app changes the departure to some random time and day.

            I’ll email smarthome@ovoenergy.com and see if I get a response 

            Did you manage to sort this out with the smarthome team @bmenagh ?

             

            Yes, I did.  Basically they say it is what it is and I just have to live with it

            S
            Newcomer
            SBRetd
            Newcomer
            December 3, 2023

            Since adding Charge Anytime I have experienced a number of issues that have been described in this thread.  In addition I get an Emergency Call System Not Available’ notification which is associated with the battery that provides power to the Comms system. It seems the battery runs flat and only gets charged up on a long run.  So could be battery failure of course.

            It might be purely coincidental but appeared when I started using Charge Anytime.  Unfortunately replacing the battery involves removing the internal lining above the back seat - not worth the bother to check the  battery as I don’t rely on the Emergency Call Service.

            Anyway, I have messaged the OVO team with my issues as Tim_OVO requested at the top of this thread.  I use the app as I have a 3 pin charger that came with the car - it’s a hybrid with a limited battery and restricted current draw - so wall chargers are overkill for my needs.  

            So, in my email I suggested (assuming not an existing facility) enabling some form of service suspension function that disables the communication between the app and the manufacturers management system so that users can deal with issues without being compromised by the way the app works.

            Question:  Has anyone experienced battery issues when leaving the vehicle unplugged for a couple of weeks. Say after returning from holiday?

             

             

            Emmanuelle_OVO
            Retired Moderator
            Emmanuelle_OVO
            Retired Moderator
            December 4, 2023

            Please keep us posted with what they respond @SBRetd, this advice could help others in a similar situation. 

            Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
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