For over a decade, solar panels have been popping up on roofs everywhere, converting sunlight into clean, green energy. At the same time, electric cars have become increasingly common. You might think that owners of these sustainable vehicles would charge their cars during the day — when the sun is providing the most energy. But when do people actually charge their electric cars? That’s right… at night.
At first glance, you would almost think that these people are not thinking completely logically. But is that really the case? Or is there more to it?
We used to hear that this was because people were working during the day — a common diagnosis. But as work patterns change and technology advances, more and more people are finding smart solutions. One of them is smart charging (smart charging): a method that coordinates the charging of electric vehicles with sustainable energy sources such as solar or wind. This optimizes energy use and reduces the ecological impact.
The rise of smart charging
According to new data from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) , smart charging is rapidly gaining popularity. A recent survey found that 63% of people are already smart charging using renewable energy, with another 19% planning to do so. Smart charging is about more than just ‘plugging in at the right time’ — it’s about optimising the entire energy system.
There are of course several reasons to charge smart. Take for example Time-of-Use Pricing: Many smart chargers take advantage of fluctuating electricity prices. By charging during off-peak hours, when electricity is cheaper, EV owners can save a lot. In the RVO survey, 23% of participants indicated that they already do this, while 31% are interested in doing so.
An even more advanced option is bi-directional charging, where an electric car not only takes energy from the grid, but can also supply it back when there is a surplus. In this way, your car becomes a temporary energy storage, which helps to stabilize the grid in times of high demand. Currently, only 4% uses this technology, but almost 49% wants to do so in the future.
As more people switch to electric driving, local power grids are becoming increasingly overloaded. Smart charging can help solve this problem by only charging cars when there is sufficient grid capacity. In the RVO survey, 15% indicated that they were already using this, while 24% showed interest in it.
The future of charging: smarter, greener, more efficient
The figures from the RVO clearly show that more and more people are switching to smart charging. Not only to align their charging behaviour with solar or wind energy, but also to save money, relieve the power grid and contribute to a more sustainable energy system.
So EV drivers are far from being “a little bit stupid” — on the contrary, they make smart, conscious decisions about when and how they charge.
Switching to electric driving is just one step in the energy transition. Combining EVs with smart charging technology that makes optimal use of renewable energy and supports the grid is the logical next step. As smart charging becomes more commonplace, it will fundamentally change how we approach energy use and mobility.
So, if you are still charging your electric car ‘just’ at night without smart charging strategies, it might be time to reconsider. You could be missing out on savings, cleaner energy and even the opportunity to feed back into the grid. smart charging is the key to getting the energy transition moving.
Are people with electric cars a bit stupid? Rather, it seems like they are just a few steps ahead of the rest.
Do you want something that really lets you charge smartly or a home buffer for energy storage, so you can use your solar energy in the evenings? Then take a look at our smart solutions.
