Scheduled charging is a smart charging feature that allows an EV or charging station to start and stop charging at predefined times. It is commonly used to align charging with off-peak electricity tariffs, site energy availability, or operational needs (for example, ensuring a fleet is ready by morning without charging during peak demand hours).
What Is Scheduled Charging?
Scheduled charging (sometimes called time-based charging or timer charging) lets users define a charging window, such as “charge from 23:00 to 06:00” or “only charge between 01:00 and 05:00.” Scheduling can be configured in:
– The EV (vehicle infotainment/app)
– The charging station (charger settings/installer portal)
– A backend platform via OCPP (central management schedules)
– An energy management system (EMS) that coordinates multiple loads
When multiple systems can schedule charging, the effective schedule is often determined by the “most restrictive” control (for example, a charger schedule that blocks charging overrides the EV’s request).
Why Scheduled Charging Matters in EV Infrastructure
Scheduled charging helps reduce energy cost and grid stress by shifting charging away from peak periods and aligning charging with site limits.
– Enables off-peak charging for a lower cost per kWh
– Supports peak shaving by avoiding charging during high-demand windows
– Helps sites stay within a maximum site demand limit and reduce demand charges (where applicable)
– Improves fairness and predictability in multi-tenant charging and workplace charging
– Allows fleets to meet readiness targets without all vehicles charging at the same time
For property managers and CPOs, scheduling is a practical step toward load management that does not require immediate electrical upgrades.
How Scheduled Charging Works
A schedule is typically defined as a set of one or more time windows, along with optional rules.
– User sets a charging window (start/end time, weekdays/weekends, exceptions)
– Charger or EV checks the connector state and authorization (RFID, app, contract)
– Charging begins only when the schedule is active, and all safety checks pass
– Charging pauses or stops when the schedule ends, or when limits are reached (SOC target, site load cap)
– Backend systems can adjust schedules dynamically based on grid congestion, tariffs, or available capacity
In managed environments, scheduling can be combined with load balancing so multiple charging points share available power during the allowed window.
Common Use Cases
Scheduled charging is used wherever timing and power control improve cost, readiness, or grid compliance.
– Home charging with time-of-use (TOU) tariffs
– Workplace charging to avoid peak building load periods
– Apartment and multi-tenant sites to stagger sessions overnight
– Fleet depots to coordinate charging with shift schedules
– Sites with on-site solar PV to charge during predicted generation windows
– Public destination charging where operators want predictable site load profiles
Key Benefits of Scheduled Charging
– Lower operating costs by targeting off-peak or low-carbon periods
– Reduced risk of tripping site limits through coordinated timing
– Better user experience through predictable “ready by” charging behavior
– Supports scalable deployments when combined with load management and OCPP control
– Helps extend electrical infrastructure capacity before upgrades are needed
Limitations to Consider
Scheduled charging works best when the schedule logic and control hierarchy are well designed.
– Conflicts can occur if both the EV and the charger apply different schedules
– Incorrect timezone or daylight saving settings can cause unexpected start/stop behavior
– In public or shared environments, schedules must respect access control and session rules
– Scheduling alone does not guarantee load compliance without dynamic load management
– Some vehicles only support simple “depart at” or “start at” timers with limited flexibility
Related Glossary Terms
Off-peak charging
Managed charging
Load management
Load balancing
Peak shaving
Maximum site demand limit
OCPP
Charging schedules
Time-of-use (TOU) tariffs
On-site solar PV