Smart Charging:
A smarter way to charge
At ubitricity-operated charging stations, you can save money on your charging session. Smart Charging schedules your charging session to start during our off-peak hours.
Currently drivers who charge at home already have the option to smart charge and access cheaper tariffs. With our Smart Charging feature, we are bringing a similar advantage to people who don’t always have access to a home charger.
![ubitricity-shell-recharge-smart-charging-schedule-charging-skip-peak An ubitricity-operated Shell Recharge lamppost charging station which offers Smart Charging, a way to skip charging during peak hours to save money on your charge.](https://ubitricity.com/wp-content/uploads/ubitricity-shell-recharge-smart-charging-schedule-charging-skip-peak.webp)
Where can I access
Smart Charging?
Currently Smart charging is available at >5,000 ubitricity-operated charge points. We plan to roll Smart charging to 90% of the network in the coming months, with the rest of the network following afterwards.
1. Locate your closest ubitricity-operated charge point. All our charge points have a small QR code fixed to the lamppost or bollard near the socket.
![ubitricity-shell-recharge-how-to-use-smart-charging-step-1 An EV driver is looking for the nearest ev charging station in the UK, using ubitricity's network of public Shell Recharge chargers with Smart Charging functionalities.](https://ubitricity.com/wp-content/uploads/ubitricity-shell-recharge-how-to-use-smart-charging-step-1.webp)
2. Plug your car into the charge point using the standard type-2 cable that you would use for home or destination charging.
![ubitricity-shell-recharge-how-to-use-smart-charging-step-2 An EV driver connects his EV to an ubitricity-operated Shell Recharge charging station, using Smart Charging for charging at cheaper rates during off peak hours.](https://ubitricity.com/wp-content/uploads/ubitricity-shell-recharge-how-to-use-smart-charging-step-2.webp)
3. Scan the QR code on the plate above the charge point to open the pay-as-you-go web page.
![ubitricity-shell-recharge-how-to-use-smart-charging-step-3 An EV driver scans the QR code of a ubitricity-operated Shell Recharge charging station in the UK to start Smart Charging.](https://ubitricity.com/wp-content/uploads/ubitricity-shell-recharge-how-to-use-smart-charging-step-3.webp)
4. After 4pm, select the ‘Smart Charging’ option and we’ll schedule your to start when our off-peak hours pricing begins (11pm-6am).
![ubitricity-shell-recharge-how-to-use-smart-charging-step-4 An EV driver selects ubitricity's Smart Charging option on his smartphone to schedule the charge of his electric vehicle at an public Shell Recharge charging station.](https://ubitricity.com/wp-content/uploads/ubitricity-shell-recharge-how-to-use-smart-charging-step-4.webp)
![ubitricity_Pricing_8th_April ubitricity_Pricing_8th_April](https://ubitricity.com/wp-content/uploads/ubitricity_Pricing_8th_April.webp)
What is Smart Charging?
Smart Charging technology allows customers who plug in from 4pm to automatically schedule their charge to start during the off-peak window, saving them money on their charge.
*Please note that the off-peak window may differ on some charge points across the network, our Smart charging hours and pricing for individual charge points will always be reflected on our Pay-as-you-go screens before you start your charge.
Smart Charging FAQ
Where is Smart Charging available?
Currently Smart charging is available at over 5,000 ubitricity-operated on-street charging stations. Charge points with Smart charging enabled will show a info section on the pay-as-you-go web page and a pop-up before entering your payment details to activate Smart charging.
When is Smart Charging available?
Pay-as-you-go customers who plug in from 4pm will be given the option to select Smart Charging.
How will I know my charging session has started?
The LED light on the charge point will turn green to show that your session has started – we just won’t send any power to your car until 11pm. Depending on what type of car you have, you may see a different message in your car app.
What will happen to my cable if I opt for Smart Charging?
We’ll lock your cable in place once you’ve selected our Smart Charging option. We won’t send any power to your car during until our off-peak hours window begins (11pm-6am). At the end of the charge, just unlock your cable as normal.