Plug in more. Pay less: Turn your EV into a money-saving remote control with E.ON Next Drive Smart.
Getting the most out of your home plug in for electric car setup isn't just about topping up your battery. It's about when you plug in and your car starts charging. Don't wait until midnight to plug your vehicle in. By shifting your routine to a default habit of plugging in as soon as you arrive, you give the system the green light to smart-charge at the cheapest times, unlocking a more affordable way to power your entire household.
Why staying connected changes everything.
Optimise your electric car plug in at home routine.
Whenever your vehicle is smart-charging during the day on the Next Drive Smart tariff, your entire home automatically drops to an ultra-low 8p/kWh rate. That means your electric car plug in home routine is the key to running heavy appliances like washing machines and dishwashers for a fraction of the standard cost.
Don't have an EV charger yet? You can buy a home charger from us to get started, or simply switch your tariff if you're already set up.
Automated smart charging: set, forget, and save.
Simply use the E.ON Next Home app to tell us when you need your car ready and how much charge you need. Our smart technology handles the scheduling automatically, steering the energy draw to the cheapest grid windows while you relax.
Total control over your home and wallet.
By keeping your vehicle connected, you give the grid maximum flexibility. The app acts as your personal energy assistant, ensuring your car is fully charged by morning while finding hidden pockets of cheap daytime power.
Next Drive Smart: the core takeaways.
The Golden Rule: Always plug in as soon as you arrive home. This gives the smart app maximum flexibility to find cheap slots.
The Whole-House Multiplier: Whenever your EV is scheduled to smart-charge during the day, your entire household gets the fixed 8p/kWh off-peak rate.
Set and Forget: Simply input your required battery level and departure time in the E.ON Next Home app. Our system automates the rest.
Overnight Fixed Window: Enjoy a guaranteed, fixed 8p/kWh rate across your whole home from midnight to 6am daily, regardless of charging status.
Ready to switch to smarter, cheaper home charging?
Switching to Next Drive Smart means your EV does the hard work for you, lowering your energy bills while supporting a cleaner, greener grid. By making one small change to your daily routine, you can keep your car and your home running for less.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my EV charger wait to start?
When you plug in your vehicle, the E.ON Next Home app acts as your car's personal energy assistant. Instead of charging immediately during expensive peak periods, our automated smart technology handles the scheduling. By reviewing grid demand, it dynamically steers and controls the charging session to align strictly with the cheapest and greenest grid windows. This ensures you get the charge you need by your specified departure time without paying peak prices.
What are the benefits of plugging in as soon as I get home?
Unlike traditional EV tariffs that only reward you for overnight charging, Next Drive Smart gives your entire home overnight rates of 8p/kWh during the day simply by keeping your car plugged in. Shifting your behaviour to a default habit of plugging in immediately upon arrival gives our smart tech the flexibility it needs to optimise grid load. Whenever your car is smart-charging during the day, your entire home gets that ultra-low 8p/kWh pricing. This allows you to run heavy appliances like immersion heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers for a fraction of the cost.
Is it difficult to set up an electric car plug in at home for smart charging?
Not at all. Once your compatible home charger and vehicle are paired with the E.ON Next Home app, the system automates everything. You just pull into the driveway, plug the cable into your car, and let our smart tariff optimise your savings in the background.
How to plug in electric car at home for the first connection handshake?
When learning how to plug in electric car at home setups safely, the sequence is simple. Ensure your home charger is active, plug the cable firmly into your vehicle's charging port, and check the E.ON Next Home app detects the link.
Why does my car start charging immediately for a few minutes before pausing?
Don't worry, this is completely normal. When you follow your electric car plug in home routine, the app needs to establish a brief handshake connection with your car to read its current battery status and confirm the hardware is communicating properly. It'll automatically pause within a few minutes once it maps out your optimised, low-cost charging schedule.
Do I need to delete my car or charger's existing in-app timers?
Yes. To let Next Drive Smart automatically manage your charging and get the 8p/kWh rate, you should clear or disable any pre-set schedules, price caps, or delay timers inside your vehicle's factory app or your standalone charger app like Ohme or Zappi. Leaving conflicting timers active can block our smart app from triggering your low-cost slots.
What if I need to override the schedule and charge immediately?
If you've an unexpected journey and can't wait for your scheduled smart slot, simply hit the Boost feature in your E.ON Next Home app. This overrides the automation and starts charging right away. Note that if you use Boost during standard daytime hours, that specific energy'll be billed at your standard peak rate.