Skip to main content
M
Rank 2
mcgoogy
Rank 2
February 17, 2023
Solved

Charge Anytime - Is there a way to ascertain when I can next charge the car just from the app (without needing to connect to the charger)

  • February 17, 2023
  • 12 replies
  • 327 views

I've recently started using the EV Anytime add on and am largely delighted with it, however one slight issue I've experienced - as someone who doesn't have off-street parking / a driveway - is that I need to hook my car up to the charger before the app will advise when it will next charge.

This isn't ideal as I don't necessarily want to leave the car connected to the charger whilst the cable needs to run over the pavement (albeit within a pavement 'ramp') overnight.

If there was a way to ascertain when I can next charge the car just from the app (without needing to connect to the charger) this would allow me to go out at that time (if it's a suitable time), instead of hooking the car up to only then be advised it might be another 6/12 hours before charging can start.

Is there scope for this to be considered within a future release/upgrade of the app?

Thanks 

    Best answer by Tim_OVO

    Updated on 15/01/23 by Emmanuelle_OVO:

    Find out more about Charge Anytime:
     

     

     

    as someone who doesn't have off-street parking / a driveway - is that I need to hook my car up to the charger before the app will advise when it will next charge.

    This isn't ideal as I don't necessarily want to leave the car connected to the charger whilst the cable needs to run over the pavement (albeit within a pavement 'ramp') overnight.

    If there was a way to ascertain when I can next charge the car just from the app (without needing to connect to the charger) this would allow me to go out at that time (if it's a suitable time), instead of hooking the car up to only then be advised it might be another 6/12 hours before charging can start.

    Is there scope for this to be considered within a future release/upgrade of the app?

     

    A quick update on this idea is that the product designers have seen this idea and added it to the feature to do list. 

     

    I’m told one of the main reasons it’s not a priority is that, with Charge Anytime, the technology behind it (Kaluza Flex) works best when the car is plugged in, the longer the better. The reason is that moments of low carbon intensity can be utilised whenever they arise. 

    12 replies

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    February 17, 2023

    Hey @mcgoogy !

    That’s actually a really, really good idea! We can’t add it to the Ideas section yet, but I’ll definitely see if the forum moderators can pass this back to the right team. Would that work for you?

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
      M
      Rank 2
      mcgoogyAuthor
      Rank 2
      February 17, 2023

      Yes of course, that would be great. Thank you for the fast response.

      It's not the end of the world, but this morning (for example) I went out, unraveled 15m of charging cable, hooked up the car and charger, opened the app only for it to tell me it would be this evening before charging would start. I then disconnected the charger and car, rolled up the cable, put it back in the car and went back to bed 🤣

      In my simplistic mind, I wonder, if - given the OVO and Audi apps are already connected/talking to reach other - there could be a button/function within the OVO app that would allow users to know at the press of a button when smart charging is next available.

      Appreciate there may be reasons why this isn't possible, but thought it worthwhile to make the suggestion, as would imagine other users may have the same issue.

      Thanks again.

       

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        February 17, 2023

        Consider it done. I’ll raise this with the moderators backstage straight away.

        It may take a few days to get a response from them, but we’ll keep you posted.

        Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
          M
          Rank 2
          mcgoogyAuthor
          Rank 2
          February 17, 2023

          Brilliant, thank you again for the reply.

          Much appreciated.

            M
            Rank 2
            mcgoogyAuthor
            Rank 2
            March 3, 2023

            Hi just following up on this request and wondered if there had been anything back as yet.

            Many thanks.

            Blastoise186
            Super User
            Blastoise186Super User
            Super User
            March 3, 2023

            Nothing yet. But the moderators will probably stop by at some point if they’ve anything to share.

            Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
            Tim_OVO
            OVO Staff
            Tim_OVO
            OVO Forum Legend
            March 6, 2023

            Hi @mcgoogy, following your first post I have shared this topic with the people at Kaluza who build Charge Anytime and the technology that underpins it. 

             

            I’ll try and hunt down some insight into the idea’s feasibility for you, but at the moment I’ve not got anything I can offer except this isn’t currently a feature of the app. 

            Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
              Tim_OVO
              OVO Staff
              Tim_OVOSolved
              OVO Forum Legend
              March 6, 2023

              Updated on 15/01/23 by Emmanuelle_OVO:

              Find out more about Charge Anytime:
               

               

               

              as someone who doesn't have off-street parking / a driveway - is that I need to hook my car up to the charger before the app will advise when it will next charge.

              This isn't ideal as I don't necessarily want to leave the car connected to the charger whilst the cable needs to run over the pavement (albeit within a pavement 'ramp') overnight.

              If there was a way to ascertain when I can next charge the car just from the app (without needing to connect to the charger) this would allow me to go out at that time (if it's a suitable time), instead of hooking the car up to only then be advised it might be another 6/12 hours before charging can start.

              Is there scope for this to be considered within a future release/upgrade of the app?

               

              A quick update on this idea is that the product designers have seen this idea and added it to the feature to do list. 

               

              I’m told one of the main reasons it’s not a priority is that, with Charge Anytime, the technology behind it (Kaluza Flex) works best when the car is plugged in, the longer the better. The reason is that moments of low carbon intensity can be utilised whenever they arise. 

              Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
              Jeffus
              Rank 20
              Jeffus
              Rank 20
              March 6, 2023

               

              A quick update on this idea is that the product designers have seen this idea and added it to the feature to do list. 

               

              I’m told one of the main reasons it’s not a priority is that, with Charge Anytime, the technology behind it (Kaluza Flex) works best when the car is plugged in, the longer the better. The reason is that moments of low carbon intensity can be utilised whenever they arise. 

               

              @Tim_OVO out of curiosity. 

              Does Charge Anytime seek to prioritise the lowest cost 30min slots to OVO first or the lowest carbon intensity slots first? They may not be quite the same. 

              M
              Rank 2
              mcgoogyAuthor
              Rank 2
              March 6, 2023

              Hi @mcgoogy, following your first post I have shared this topic with the people at Kaluza who build Charge Anytime and the technology that underpins it. 

               

              I’ll try and hunt down some insight into the idea’s feasibility for you, but at the moment I’ve not got anything I can offer except this isn’t currently a feature of the app. 

              Brilliant, many thanks.

              Show more replies
              Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

              OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

              OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

              OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd