Internet of nothings – how my EV can’t charge without my Wi-Fi! 

Spread the love

Is more of this what the future has in store, as governments enforce their plans to eradicate fuel-burning private cars from public roads in pursuit of nebulous ‘net zero’ goals? As well as wi-fi issues, if there’s a power cut affecting your home for example, an EV in need of a battery charge is rendered useless for the duration.


– – –
How EVs and chargers say no when the internet freezes — reporting by Energy Live News.

So, everyone hails the future of interconnected devices, and I am all for that. Or so I thought!

But this week I have been unable to charge my EV, why?

Because although I have a charging point, electricity, a cable and of course a car…. I have no internet, it’s gone down and so without my Wi-Fi, I cannot use the charger as it works via an app to charge my car.

No internet. No app. No charging!

My EV is on lease from Octopus vehicles and works with an EO charger. It works via an app which has to talk to my Wi-Fi – as it charges at night (cheaper for me, better for grid load), yet as I discovered without Wi-Fi, the charger can’t just be turned on an off. It only charges at the set times saved in the app.

So even though I was very low on charge when I got home, I couldn’t charge my car there and then. What if I had needed the car in an emergency?

It seems ridiculous to have no fail safe with this interconnected system, surely my car should be able to be charged without the dependence of my broadband?

It’s a hilarious state of affairs. But also very concerning.

Full report here.

via Tallbloke’s Talkshop

 January 18, 2022, by oldbrew