Next Drive Smart tariff and App Support

1. Make sure your EV is plugged in when starting the test charge. 2. If you run into issues, and your EV is plugged in, keep it like this for 20 minutes then try again (and make sure to follow the other tips below).

Please make sure that location sharing is allowed and enabled in your EV. In most EV's you can check these in your: 1. EV's manufacturers mobile app. 2. EV's infotainment console. Some vehicle manufacturers require the creation of an account with them before it is possible to share vehicle location.

1. Make sure you have no conflicting charging schedules in you EV manufacturers app. 2. Make sure the charger is set to charge when plugged in.

Sometimes issues can be caused by outdated software. For the smoothest experience, please ensure that you are using the most recent version of the Next Home app and that your EV's firmware is also up to date.

We will send charging commands to your EV to control its charging. Upon receiving notification to start charging, your EV will attempt to draw charge from the charger. If your charger has a schedule on it, and your car requests charge outside of this schedule, the charger may not provide the charge and your car won't be able to charge as needed. To prevent this from happening ensure your charger is in manual mode (different brands have different names for this). Sometimes it is called "Fast" or "Charge on plug in". Rest assured, any smart charging scheduled outside of the off-peak window by Next Home will still be billed at the off-peak rate.

Once you connect your EV and set your preferences in our E.ON Next Home app (Schedule must be set to ‘active’), leave the smart charging to us. We’ll control your charging automatically, so you’ll benefit from cheaper rates day and night. 

You choose when you want your car charged by and we’ll handle the optimal charging times at the cheapest rates - as long as you’re EV is plugged in!  And, if we charge your car during the day, your whole home gets the same cheap rate. Take advantage of daytime charging at off-peak rates, just make sure your car is plugged-in, then your whole home electricity will be charged at the cheaper rate, so you pay less.  Get used to plugging-in little and often (e.g. just like plugging in your mobile phone) to get the cheaper rates, and remember, there’s always the  ‘Boost’ feature for emergencies.

Please make sure that location sharing is allowed and enabled in your EV. Most EV's enable you to check these in your: 1. EV Manufacturers mobile app. 2. EV's infotainment console.

One way to check this is to log in to your EV manufacturer's app and ensure your car is registered to the correct EV manufacturer account.

1. You'll need to have a bit of space in your battery, the best way to do this is to drive around until the battery reduces to 90% - 95% charge.

2. If you have a battery limit set on your EV, you can simply increase the battery limit, which can be done in most manufacturers' apps or the infotainment console.

Please check your EV's 4G/Wi-Fi and make sure this is switched on. You can do this by looking at your manufacturer’s app. We also suggest ensuring your mobile device is connected to the internet and using the latest version of the Next Home app.

Cost Savings: Lower energy rates during off-peak times are passed to customers that are connected to our app and when plugged in.

Grid Management: Prevents grid overload by lowering consumption during high-demand periods. Less hassle for customers:  Once you have set your preferences in the app and are plugged in, the smart charging manages the charging process at the most effective times automatically.

Sustainability: Increases the use of renewable energy by aligning charging with peak production times. It also balances the load, by efficiently managing power for vehicles charging at the same time.

To help get you registered, we need to make sure your car's location services are turned on. This allows your car to communicate properly and helps you get started with Smart charging.

Here's how to enable location services:

Step 1: In your car's infotainment system

1. Go to Settings.

2. Find the Privacy menu.

3. Look for the Online services section.

4. Turn on both "Use vehicle position" and "Share vehicle position."

Step 2: On the myAudi website

1. Log in to your account on myaudi.com.

2. Go to the "Features" (or "Functions") section.

3. Click on "Function overview."

4. Then, select the "Remote & Control" section.

5. Make sure "Car finder" (or "Park position") is enabled.

6. Also, ensure that "Share GPS position" is turned on directly below it.

Once you've enabled these settings, please try the registration process again. If you continue to have trouble, see ways to get in touch below

To help get you registered, we need to make sure your car's location services are turned on. This allows your car to communicate properly and helps you get started with Smart charging. To enable GPS Positioning in your vehicle, please see this tutorial from BMW. Once you've enabled these settings, please try the registration process again. If you continue to have trouble, see ways to get in touch below.

To help get you registered, you'll need to make sure you are subscribed to NissanConnect services. Please do this using the Nissan app. Android and iOS.

NissanConnect services enable the following capabilities:

• Remote control services: Vehicle location.

• Driving history & analysis: Vehicle mileage counter.

• Remote battery management: Battery information (such as battery level) and start/stop charging.

Read more about the different packages.

Once you have subscribed to NissanConnect services, please try the registration process again. If you continue to have trouble, see ways to get in touch below.

To help get you registered, you'll need to make sure you are subscribed to SEAT Connect. You can do this ON the SEAT website. Once you have subscribed to SEAT Connect, please try the registration process again. If you continue to have trouble, see ways to get in touch below.

To help get you registered, you'll need to make sure you you have a VW Connect/We Connect account, and have accepted the terms and conditions in the "VW app. You'll also need to set yourself up as the primary user in your vehicle.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Set Up Your Primary User in Your VW Vehicle

1. To allow your car to communicate with the app, you need to be signed in as the primary user directly in your vehicle's infotainment system.

2. Access Infotainment System: Turn on your car and access its central screen (infotainment system).

3. Navigate to Users: Look for a "Users" menu within the system.

4. Add Primary User: Select the option to "Add Primary User."

5. Sign In: Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in with your VW Connect/We Connect account details.

Step 2: Subscribe to VW Connect in the VW app

The customer needs to create a VW account, accept terms and conditions in the VW app (Android, iOS), and subscribe to the relevant We Connect services.

Customers can subscribe to either We Connect or We Connect Plus. See the Video Guide.

Step 3: Activate charging online services

1. Once you have subscribed to VW connect, you may need to activate the required online services in the app.

2. Within the VW app, navigate to the vehicle settings page.

3. From here navigate to the Mobile Online Services settings menu.

4. Within this menu locate and activate the “Charging” option.

Once you have this sorted, please start the registration process again. If you continue to have trouble, see ways to get in touch below.

All Teslas (except Model S and X from before 2021, or if you lease your EV) require a virtual key to be created by the driver so we can send charging commands to the car. When you are onboarding your Tesla, at the virtual key step, select "Add virtual key" and follow the instructions in the Tesla app (you will be automatically redirected). Once you have created the virtual key, you will need to return to the Next Connect app to continue the onboarding process. Please note: to create a virtual key you must have the Tesla app installed on your mobile phone and have created a phone key.

To ensure your electric vehicle is ready for smart charging, please follow these general steps:

Step 1: Check In-Car connectivity & location settings and updates.

1. Turn on your EV and navigate to the main screen or menu.

2. Look for an icon or menu option typically labeled Settings, System, Privacy, Connectivity, or similar.

3. Within the settings, locate options related to Location Services, GPS, Vehicle Position, or Data Sharing.

4. Ensure that settings like Use vehicle position, Share vehicle position, GPS, or Location Data are turned ON. This allows your car to communicate its location.

5. Look for sections related to Data Sharing, Online Services, or Privacy. Confirm that sharing of vehicle data, especially for connected services, is enabled.

6. Refer to your car's manual or infotainment system for instructions on checking and installing the latest software updates for your vehicle.

Step 2: Verify or subscribe to Connected Services

1. Ensure your car brand's mobile app is updated to its latest version from your app store.

2. Identify your car's connected service platform: Most EV manufacturers have a dedicated app or online portal for their connected services.

3. Get the official mobile app for your car brand (from your mobile device's app store) or visit their dedicated connected services website. Once you’re sorted, create an account, or log in if you already have one.

4. Ensure you are subscribed to the appropriate service(s) that enable remote control, vehicle location, battery management, and data communication. These are often required for smart charging.

5. In some cases you may need to activate specific options in your vehicle manufacturer’s app settings menu when you subscribe to these services.

Once you have this sorted, please start the registration process again. If you continue to have trouble, see ways to get in touch below.

To connect your Mercedes EV to our E.ON Next Home app, you need to do the following:

• EV needs to be unplugged before connecting to our app. 

• Start the registration and connection process as per instructions in the app.  Enter your Mercedes credentials and your VIN number when prompted.

• Your EV then needs plugging in at home to confirm initial connection.

• Then unplug your EV.

• You need to plug your EV back in and start an initial charge so that we can set the GPS location for home charging.

• Your EV is now connected and set-up.

N.B: For some models of Mercedes (mostly those 2023 and older) will not allow us to control the optimisation of the battery until it is at 50% charge.