Are there chargers with smart features?

Smart chargers connect to the internet via Wi‑Fi, Ethernet or a mobile network and are controlled from an app or a management platform. The most useful features in practice are:

• Scheduling, so that charging happens during cheaper tariff hours or when household consumption is low.
• Dynamic load management, which reduces charging powerGlossary · EV chargingCharging Power (kW)How much energy flows into the battery per hour, which in AC charging depends on voltage, current and the number of phases. when other large appliances are running so that the main breaker does not trip.
• Solar charging, where the charger mainly uses surplus solar production.
• User authentication with an RFID card or app and per-user consumption records, useful for businesses and apartment buildings.

At workplace and public stations, chargers usually communicate with the management platform through the open OCPPGlossary · EV chargingOCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol)An open communication protocol between a charging station and central management software, used for remote control, billing and monitoring. protocol, so the platform can be changed without replacing the charger.

Before choosing, check which features you actually need. Load management and solar integration often require an additional meter in the distribution board. A common mistake is installing the charger where the Wi‑Fi signal is unreliable, so the smart features do not work dependably.