British Gas is now offering smart electric vehicle (EV) charging through its Hive smart home platform and Alfen chargers.
EV drivers are now able to charge their car when prices are at their lowest and when the most renewable energy is available on the grid, with the integrated automated charging feature able to support the balancing of the grid.
By partnering with Alfen for smart chargers and bringing together the Hive app to optimise the charging and British Gas’ engineers to provide the installations and ongoing services, the energy supplier is providing what it said is an end-to-end solution.
EV drivers will be able to receive daily, weekly and monthly summaries of their charging history as a cost and in kWh. They will also be notified when charging starts outside of the cheapest window for their tariff.
The smart charging capabilities come alongside existing Hive features allowing customers to control their heating, lighting and security.
Centrica – which owns British Gas – signed a deal with Alfen in 2020 to supply EV chargers to British Gas engineers and Centrica sites, with plans to also offer Alfen’s chargers to Centrica’s commercial customers planning to electrify their fleets.
It followed British Gas putting in the largest ever commercial order for battery electric vehicles in the UK in support of Centrica’s push to electrify its 12,000 strong fleet of vehicles by 2030.
Matthew Bateman, managing director, British Gas Services & Solutions said: “With the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles on the horizon, many people are considering how to make the switch to electric.
“Smart charging as part of a home energy eco-system is the most cost-effective, simple and sustainable way to make the switch.”