Onboarding and setup

The initial setup of smart charging is an excellent opportunity to educate users about smart charging mechanics and requirements.

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By default, smart charging is DISABLED. In this state, the vehicle charges continuously when plugged in, unless the user configures other interventions via the vehicle, charger, or other apps.

To enable smart charging, we need two simple inputs:

A smart charging policy, including a user-defined deadline
One or more user-defined charging locations

A valid smart charging policy is necessary to transition from the DISABLED state to the CONSIDERING state. However, a charging location is required to generate a smart charging plan (transitioning into PLAN:*), so we consider this a core part of smart charging onboarding.

In addition to collecting these two inputs, presenting some key information early in the user journey ensures a better understanding and experience:

What smart charging is and how it works
Protective charging
Interference by third parties

This guide will walk you through the required inputs and key information.

Copy linkWhat it is and how it works

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What we recommend

Introduce users to smart charging and its functionality early in the user journey, using your brand's tone and wording.

How you explain the feature and related terminology depends on your brand and product. However, maintain consistent vocabulary throughout the entire user journey.

The explanation can range from a single screen to multiple screens, an animation, or a video, depending on your users' exposure to the concept.

You might also want to include details about how pricing factors in. For example, if your product relies on tariffs, explain tariff patterns. If your product depends on Nord Pool day-ahead prices, briefly describe price updates and day-ahead prices.

For more information on how our smart charging algorithm handles price data, check out our guide on smart charging considerations.

Copy linkProtective charging

Protective charging is controlled by the vehicle's SmartChargingPolicyAPI minimumChargeLimit, which defaults to zero.

If the vehicle's charge level is below minimumChargeLimit when plugged in, it will charge continuously until it reaches minimumChargeLimit, regardless of energy prices.

Check that the minimumChargeLimit never exceeds the vehicle's maximum limit. You can retrieve the maximum limit from the get vehicleAPI API response using chargeState.chargeLimit. Note, the Enode API doesn't control the maximum limit, which is subject to change. If the maximum limit falls below the set minimum, adjust the minimumChargeLimit to ensure smart charging functionality.

Copy linkInterference by third parties

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If the user has enabled schedules or other smart charging functionality via their charger, vehicle, or other apps, these will cause problems for smart charging plans.

Copy linkAdding a charging location

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The vehicle must be plugged in at a known charging location for smart charging to be considered, as indicated by the atChargingLocation consideration. Post a name and location data (longitude, latitude) to the /locations endpoint to add a charging location. Charging locations are also used for mapping price data to tariffsAPI or Nordpool price areas.

You can learn more about the Location endpoints in our API referenceAPI.

Example

{
  "name": "Home",
  "longitude": 10.757933,
  "latitude": 59.911491
}
{
  "name": "Home",
  "longitude": 10.757933,
  "latitude": 59.911491
}

What we recommend

If a charging location does not exist when the user first enables smart charging, we suggest including this step in the initial setup.

To simplify adding a charging location, display a map with options to search for an address and use their current location.

To obtain the longitude and latitude, you could use geocoding from your map SDK or call a third-party service like the Google Maps Geocoding Service.

A vehicle is considered at a charging location if within 200 meters of the longitude and latitude (the geofence enter radius). Once inside, the vehicle remains associated with the location until it moves beyond 270 meters (the exit radius). Because of the 200 m geofence, a user's locations must be at least 200 m apart. The API will reject any new location that falls within the geofence of an existing one. Visualize this radius in the view to emphasize it.

If you are building a product for private consumers and already have access to the user's home address, pre-fill this information for a quick and seamless setup.

Copy linkSetting a deadline

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Enabling smart charging for a vehicle involves calling the Smart Charging PolicyAPI endpoint with the required information. Learn more in the previous guide and our docsAPI.

Copy linkConfirmation

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At this point, the user is ready. The next time they plug in their vehicle at a charging location, smart charging will be considered.

Next article: Day-to-day use

Creating a stellar smart charging experience