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Charging schedules: how they work

Updated

Default Schedules

Setting Schedules

Vehicle schedules

Random Delay

 

Default Schedules⚡

The charger will come with a default charging schedule, as required by the 2022 Smart Charging Regulations. This schedule is designed to reduce electricity demand during peak times and support a more efficient energy grid.

However, the default schedule may not be the best fit for your lifestyle or electricity tariff. We recommend creating your own charging schedule once your charger has been installed and connected to the Indra app.
 
After setting up your Indra account, you can create a recurring charging schedule. Choose the days and times you would like your vehicle to charge, and your charger will automatically start charging during those periods whenever your vehicle is plugged in.

 

Setting Schedules📅

The Indra app allows you to create charging schedules based on:

  • Time and day of the week🕒
  • Energy required (kWh)⚡
  • Distance required (miles or km)📍
  • Spend limit (£)💰

To create a schedule go to the 'Schedule' view on the main navigation bar at the bottom of the app and click 'Create a new schedule'. The app will prompt you to create a schedule to suit your specific needs. 

 

If you are on a time-of-use electricity tariff you can schedule charging during your cheaper-rate periods to help reduce charging cost - Types of Tariffs

If you have already set a schedule in the app, when you plug in your vehicle the app home screen will show you when your next charge is scheduled for 

Smart Tariff Integration Schedules⚡

If you are integrated with a Smart Charging Tariff via the charger then you will not be able to set schedules in the Indra App. This is because the charging control is given to the third-party that you have integrated with. 

In the app you will see a screen similar to the below 

 

If you have integrated to a Smart Charging Tariff via your vehicle then you will need to set a schedule on the Indra App to 'As Full as Possible' and 'Anytime' to allow the charger to provide power the vehicle whenever the integration requests it. 

 

Vehicle schedules🚗

Many electric vehicles include their own charging schedules. We recommend managing all charging schedules through the Indra app and leaving any vehicle charging schedules disabled.

If charging schedules are configured in both the vehicle and the Indra app, they may conflict with each other and prevent charging from operating as expected.

If a charging schedule is set in your vehicle but not on the charger, charging may fail because the charger will not offer power outside of a configured charging schedule. For the most reliable charging experience, use the Indra app as your single source for scheduling.

 

Random Delay⌛

As part of the UK Smart Charging Regulations, smart chargers must apply a randomised delay when starting or stopping a scheduled charging session.

This means your charger may not begin or end charging at the exact time shown in your schedule. Instead, a random delay of up to 10 minutes will be applied.

Example

Scheduled charging window: 00:30 - 04:30

  • Charging may start anytime between 00:30 and 00:40
  • Charging may stop anytime between 04:30 and 04:40

This is a legal requirement that applies to all compliant smart chargers and helps reduce sudden demand on the electricity grid.

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