Scheduled EV charging

[baf1967]

It looks like Shell Recharge have eventually released a firmware update to allow scheduled charging for Volvo plug-in hybrid owners. Previously there was an issue between the Volvo Cars app and the Shell Recharge app which meant the scheduled charging didn’t work. Has anyone successfully used scheduled charging? It isn’t clear to me whether you set the schedule in the Volvo app or the shell Recharge app - you can do so in both but not sure if they synch / which one overrides the other? Thanks

[GMcL]

When would you schedule a charge on Shell Recharge ? Sorry, if I have missed something obvious but why would you plug in to a paid charging point and then delay the start ? You'd be hogging a charger that someone else may have immediate need of and some of the chargers are now limiting the connection time with an excess charge over a time period.

Do Shell offer home chargers now ? I have a Shell RFID card for on the go charging, I just can't think of a situation where I'd want to delay the start other than at home on a cheaper overnight tariff.

[baf1967]

Thanks for replying. It’s a home charging point! The charge point was installed by New Motion who are now Shell Recharge.

[GMcL]

It sounds like a bit of a challenge with two apps fighting it out.

I would expect the car to win out as it will ultimately decide when to accept charge. Our wallbox does not have an app, it does have the option to delay the start in hourly increments up to nine hours. I have set the car to accept charge between 00:30 and 06:00. I could plug the car in at 9pm and delay the start on the wallbox by 6 hours to start at 3am, the car would look for a charge after 00:30 but would not actually start charging until the later time when the wallbox started delivering. This would result in a 6am shut off whether the charge limit had been reached or not.

I let the car decide when to accept the charge and leave the wallbox delay out of the process.

[baf1967]

Hi again - that’s really helpful, thanks. You’re correct that the problem is two apps and it’s not at all clear which takes precedence. I tried both options at the weekend and neither worked! Believe it or not I’ve been in regular contact with Shell Recharge’s technical team for months over this and they acknowledged some time ago it is a Volvo-specific problem due to the Volvo car app. They have eventually released the firmware update which is why I’m now testing it. Given that New Motion were Volvo’s preferred provider for installing home chargers (my vehicle is a 21 plate), I can’t imagine I’m the only one struggling with this technical issue! It will be affecting most people with a hybrid Volvo and a charging point that is now covered by Shell Recharge. PS I’ve been holding on the phone for 1/2 hour this morning with Shell Recharge - hope someone at Volvo Customer Service picks this thread up and the shambles that surrounds their home charging points.

[LellyB]

@baf1967 I also have a 21 plate recharge Volvo and a shell recharge wall unit. I am also unable to get my car to charge at the scheduled time 0030-0430. I wanted to check if you had managed to resolve your issues from earlier this year? I would be interested in any help/advice you can offer.

[Owlscastle]

I to are having problems with the scheduled charge not starting when connected to my BG Sync EV wall socket, set to "plug and charge " mode, ie should behave like a 13amp socket,

After much trial and error I have come to the conclusion that if the scheduled charge is longer than about 4 hours after the cable is connected then it does not charge. It still shows scheduled charge on the Volvo app, but didnt start charging.

I have spoken to BGSyncEV technical and they seem to think it is the Volvo going to sleep mode in conflict with the scheduled charge.

The scheduled charge starts at midnight to coincide with the cheap rate electricity. if i plug it in before 8pm it doesnt charge, if i plug it in after 8pm it does charge.

Anyone else have this? Cant be right,

[green van man]

I am assuming your chargers came as part of the car purchase.

While I do not own an electric car, I do install EV chargers. I favour FastAmp chargers that use dip switches to set up and then blue tooth from your mobile phone to activate the pre set options rather than Wi-Fi connected chargers.

Considerably cheaper than other makes, comply with all legal requirements and have built in RCD and PEN fault detection.

Not a lot of help in your situation, more a heads up that other simpler to operate systems are available.

Regards Paul.