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RM84
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March 17, 2023
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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
    S
    Newcomer
    SBRetd
    Newcomer
    December 4, 2023

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

    I’ll paste the response when I get one

      S
      Newcomer
      Stevenlevy
      Newcomer
      December 4, 2023

      I have been reading this thread,  I have an ix3 and the preconditioning keeps being disabled.   Is there any update on this.   Many thanks. 

      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      December 5, 2023

      I’ll ask internally @Stevenlevy 

      Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
      S
      Newcomer
      Stevenlevy
      Newcomer
      December 5, 2023

      Many thanks.  Is this about the ix3 pre conditioning or the i5 

      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      December 5, 2023

      Hey @Stevenlevy,

       

      From the team:

       

      No resolution on BMW preconditioning yet.

       

      For some vehicles, including BMW & MINI, our smart charging control automatically overwrites any existing pre-heating/cooling schedules. Please accept our apologies for this inconvenience, and be advised that we are working hard to try to rectify this issue, but it is not something that we can resolve soon so in the meantime you’ll need to decide if you’re willing to forego these features in exchange for the Charge Anytime savings.

      Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
      S
      Newcomer
      Stevenlevy
      Newcomer
      December 5, 2023

      Emmanuelle, 

       

      you seem to know what is going on 

       

      Do you know if there is any update on the BMW I5 any charge anytime.

       

       

       

       

      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      December 6, 2023

      Hey @Stevenlevy,

       

      You can see all eligibility details in our Charge Anytime page here. You must be an OVO Energy customer and have an eligible car or charger. We’re constantly looking to open up the eligibility of this product to more EV models and chargers, so if you don’t see your tech here, keep an eye on our page.

      Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
      Taj
      Rank 10
      Taj
      Rank 10
      December 6, 2023

      Hello @SBRetd. I may be jumping to conclusions, but I presume in your question you are referring to the 12v battery. This is a common problem with many hybrid cars and has existed for far too long. My 2013 hybrid Auris has from new had to be driven at least once every two days, about 6 miles is usually enough. Battery too small or insufficient charging, Toyota doesn’t seem to know, but all Toyota hybrids seem to suffer from it.

      I have been considering a new plug-in car and the Ovo charge anytime, but as you have found, it does not seem to be very flexible. Hopefully it will improve as time goes on. Can’t say for all cars, but plug-in Toyota cars will drain the 12v battery if left plugged in and not charging.

        S
        Newcomer
        SBRetd
        Newcomer
        December 7, 2023

        Hello @SBRetd. I may be jumping to conclusions, but I presume in your question you are referring to the 12v battery. This is a common problem with many hybrid cars and has existed for far too long. My 2013 hybrid Auris has from new had to be driven at least once every two days, about 6 miles is usually enough. Battery too small or insufficient charging, Toyota doesn’t seem to know, but all Toyota hybrids seem to suffer from it.

        I have been considering a new plug-in car and the Ovo charge anytime, but as you have found, it does not seem to be very flexible. Hopefully it will improve as time goes on. Can’t say for all cars, but plug-in Toyota cars will drain the 12v battery if left plugged in and not charging.

        Hi Taj

        Yes you are correct.  Prior to subscribing to ‘Charge Anytime’ I didn’t have the issues that this thread has exposed.  I certainly didn’t experience any problems with a battery drain when the vehicle is unused.  So, having experienced a ‘secondary’ battery drain (a separate rechargeable battery for the comms system) I have inferred that this could extend to the main battery over a prolonged period.  My thinking goes like this - if ‘ Charge Anytime’ is draining this secondary battery which could be recharged by the main 12v battery, then does the main 12v battery provide the power to maintain the ‘Charge Anytime’ comms interface when the secondary battery is no longer capable .  If so, my battery will be at risk.

        I am probably wrong but was interested in any experiences others might have had.

         

        Emmanuelle_OVO
        Retired Moderator
        Emmanuelle_OVO
        Retired Moderator
        December 7, 2023

        I understand your concern @SBRetd, my advice would be to contact our experts at smarthome@ovoenergy.com.

         

        When they respond, it would be really helpful if you could pop back and update the thread. This may help other EV owners with similar concerns. 

        Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
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