What does the Crowd Charge app do and why should I use it?
As an Electric Nation trial volunteer, you are participating in a trial of Smart Charging with hundreds of other hybrid and pure electric vehicle drivers. This means that from time to time your charger may be remotely managed to reduce your vehicles charging rate or even pause charging for short periods of time – This is called Smart Charging.
You can find out more about smart charging here
The Crowd Charge App for Electric Nation allows you to tell us how much energy you need to complete your trips. This information helps Crowd Charge to make sure your electric vehicle has the energy you need when you need it – especially when Smart Charging events occur.
From November 5th 2018 the CrowdCharge app has been updated to include a simulated Time of Use tariff, where electricity prices would change over the day, this is used by the CrowdCharge app to not only ensure your EV has enough energy to make your next journey, but also to minimise the cost of that energy. The cost saving is reflected in a reward that Electric Nation will give you at the end of this part of the smart charging trial in the form of an Amazon shopping voucher (the reward is calculated by comparing the cost of electricity used to charge your EV according to our virtual ToU tariff with a standard 15p per unit/kWh).
To do this the CrowdCharge App asks for the mileage of your next journey and how much charge you have remaining when you plug in your EV, to establish how much charge you will need for your next journey. CrowdCharge then ensures you receive enough charge for your journey, even when a smart charge event happen, AND that the cost of that charge is minimised (at times this may mean your EV is charged slowly to minimise charging when electricity is expensive (according to the simulated ToU tariff and then charging is speeded up when electricty is cheaper).
The CrowdCharge app allows the user to input journey plans for daily, weekly and occasional journeys – helping the Crowd Charge system to establish how much charge you will need for your journeys.
The Crowd Charge app also provides information regarding your charge cycles in terms of electricity used (kWh) and costs (£) (assuming your charger and communications are online).
Find out how to use the app in our User Instructions
Find out about the CrowdCharge simulated time of use (ToU) tariff used in the new version of the CrowdCharge app in this guide
Does the Crowd Charge app replace my EV app?
No, the Crowd Charge app only interacts with the Crowd Charge system and, via that, your charger.
The App does not replace or interfere with EV control functions you may have through an EV app you may have, such as switching pre-heat on or timed charging.
How do I get started on the app?
You will be invited by the Electric Nation team to use the Crowd Charge app – these instructions will be sent in the form of an email which will detail the webpage URL, login in and user instructions to get you up and running. If you have any issue when registering and logging into the portal, please contact support@drive-electric.co.uk or phone 0330 390 0455
You must register/set up an account to use the portal. You can register by swiping left on the home screen after entering the URL into your web browser.
Please ensure when you register and sign up for the app you remember your username and login in – if you forget your password you can reset this by clicking ‘forgot your password’ on the login in page.
Logging into the app
Once you have loaded the web page/URL, at the bottom on the screen click on the outline of the head to load the login page.
You can only log into this once you have registered for the portal first. If you have not registered for the app you will not be able to login.
Once you have logged into the app please confirm you have done so by emailing support@drive-electric.co.uk
A member of the team will then immediately link your account to your charge point so you can see kWh/charge cycles costs and input into the journey planner.
Find out how to use the app in our User Instructions
How do I use the app?
The user instructions that you have been sent on the app invite email from Electric Nation explain the main features of the app and how to navigate it. If you have misplaced the user instructions your can download them here or request them to be re-sent to you, please contact support@drive-electric.co.uk
Once you have logged into the app, clicking the 3 lines at the top right of the screen will show the navigation tab. Use these tabs to navigate around the app.
Why does the app ask me to set the current range of my EV?
Entering the current range as a percentage of your EV’s battery helps Crowd Charge to ensure you receive enough charge for your next journey.
If you wish you can have telematics installed free of charge on your vehicle via Electric Nation (subject to vehicle make/model) which would automatically set the current range of your EV.
If this is something of interest to you, please contact support@drive-electric.co.uk or phone 0330 390 0455 and a member of the team will investigate if this is possible with your EV.
How do I find out how much charge I use each day or month?
This information can be found on the ‘Chargepoint usage’ page on the navigation tab. You can split your charge cycles down by a specific day or a month to show your electricity usage (kWh) or cost (£).
You can enter the cost of your electricity tariff in the profile tab; and enter your average kWh per mile if you know it (most EVs detail this information on the dashboard or sat nav).
Can I download the CrowdCharge App from the Apple App or Google Play Stores?
No – this is a web-based app therefore is only accessible through a web browser such as google chrome, internet explorer, Firefox or Safari (IOS).
What if I don’t use the Crowd Charge app or don’t have access to a smart phone?
If you never use the Crowd Charge app or cant use it because you don’t have a smartphone, don’t worry your charger will work as normal.
You will still be able to earn a reward if most of your charging takes place during the ‘cheaper’ periods (Outside of 16:30-20:00).
If I cant or don’t use the App, will I still get the reward?
Yes. But this depends on when you choose to charge your EV. If you often start charging at the peak price time, then your Reward may go down. On the other hand, if you often charge during the day, late evening or overnight your reward will go up.
If you would like an update on your reward balance you can request this to the Electric Nation support team who will be able to assist you – support@drive-electric.co.uk
Remember, you can always ask a member of your family or a friend to download the App and get them to change your charging schedule if you want to take advantage of the Reward Scheme – they will then be able to tell you your reward balance by viewing on the app.
What does Reward balance on the app mean?
The Reward balance is a way of showing you how much money you could save by charging at off-peak electricity price times (or how much extra you would pay if you chose to charge at peak price time) – if you were on a time of use tariff like the one we are simulating for this part of the Electric Nation Smart Charging Trial.
Do I need to change my energy supplier to get the Electric Nation Smart Charging tariff?
No. This is a simulated Tariff for the Electric Nation project only.
It does not have anything to do with your contractual relationship with your Energy supplier (e.g. British Gas, nPower etc.)– the cost of charging your EV will continue to be charged on your electricity bill as usual.
The Electric Nation trial is simulating what might happen to your electricity costs for charging your EV if you were on a Time of Use Tariff. The cost savings and additional costs that you might see on such a tariff are reflected in your Smart Charging Reward provided by Electric Nation
Is the Electric Nation Smart Charging Tariff a real tariff?
No. This is a simulated Tariff for the Electric Nation project only.
It does not have anything to do with your contractual relationship with your current Energy supplier – the cost of charging your EV will continue to be charged on your electricity bill as usual.
The Electric Nation trial is simulating what might happen to your electricity costs for charging your EV if you were on a Time of Use Tariff. The cost savings and additional costs that you might see on such a tariff are reflected in your Smart Charging Reward provided by Electric Nation and shown in your copy of the Crowd Charge Smart Charging App.
Do I need to sign a contract to get the Electric Nation Smart Charging Tariff?
No. This is a simulated Tariff for the Electric Nation project only.
It does not have anything to do with your contractual relationship with your current Energy supplier – the cost of charging your EV will continue to be charged on your electricity bill as usual.
The Electric Nation trial is simulating what might happen to your electricity costs for charging your EV if you were on a Time of Use Tariff. The cost savings and additional costs that you might see on such a tariff are reflected in your Smart Charging Reward provided by Electric Nation and shown in your copy of the Crowd Charge Smart Charging App.
How long will I get to maximise my reward?
The Electric Nation Smart Charging Reward will operate from the date you start using the new Crowd Charge App to the end of this phase of the trial (to end before 31st December 2018).
All your EV charging on your Electric Nation supplied Smart Charger will be included in the Reward calculation (which can go up or down, depending on when you charge).
If I invite friends and relations with EVs to charge on my charger will their charge increase/reduce my reward?
Yes it will. If your visitors charge on your smart charger you will receive reward (or loose reward if they charge at peak time) for their charge.
We would prefer you didn’t encourage this to try to maximise your reward as it would spoil our project findings.
We already have a good picture of charging patterns for all the chargers in the trial (and we know what EVs are associated with each charger) – we will notice abnormally high energy consumption on the charger. In extreme cases we reserve the right to withdraw a participant from the trial and reward system if we discover abuse of the reward system.
And don’t forget, you’ll still be paying your energy supplier for the energy you use to charge EVs and this will be more than your Reward!
Will I continue to receive the Electric Nation Smart Charging Reward after the end of the trial?
No. The Electric Nation Smart Charging Reward is only available for participants in the Electric Nation Smart Charging Trial for a limited period and will definitely not be available beyond 31st December 2018.
Does the Electric Nation Smart Charging Tariff replace my existing electricity supply contract?
No. This is a simulated Tariff for the Electric Nation project only.
It does not have anything to do with your contractual relationship with your current Energy supplier – the cost of charging your EV will continue to be charged on your electricity bill as usual.
The Electric Nation trial is simulating what might happen to your electricity costs for charging your EV if you were on a Time of Use Tariff. The cost savings and additional costs that you might see on such a tariff are reflected in your Smart Charging Reward provided by Electric Nation and shown in your copy of the Crowd Charge Smart Charging App.
Will I earn more reward from the Electric Nation Smart Charging Tariff by reducing or moving my house electricity usage?
No. This is a simulated Tariff for the Electric Nation project only and only applies to the energy consumed by charging your EV, measured by your smart charger
It does not have anything to do with your contractual relationship with your current Energy supplier – the cost of charging your EV will continue to be charged on your electricity bill as usual. As will all your other electricity consumption.
The Electric Nation trial is simulating what might happen to your electricity costs for charging your EV if you were on a Time of Use Tariff. The cost savings and additional costs that you might see on such a tariff are reflected in your Smart Charging Reward provided by Electric Nation and shown in your copy of the Crowd Charge Smart Charging App.
Reducing your other household electricity consumption or moving it to cheaper times on the Electric Nation Smart Charging Tariff will have no effect on your real electricity bill (unless you already have Economy 7 or 10 or a smart meter and an alternative time of use tariff).
Reducing your other household electricity consumption or moving it to cheaper times on the Electric Nation Smart Charging Tariff will have no effect on your Electric Nation Smart Charging Reward balance.
Will the Electric Nation Smart Charging Reward apply to charging I do away from home?
No. The Crowd Charge app and Electric Nation Smart Charging Reward only works with your Electric Nation charger.
What can I do with my reward?
We will email you an Amazon Voucher at the end of the trial.
If you have an Amazon account you will be able to redeem this voucher for any goods Amazon offer (including Kindle books).
If you don’t have an Amazon account you could open one and use the voucher.
Or you can pass the voucher on to family or friends as a gift or they can use it to buy something for you.
When can I expect to receive my reward?
Your reward will be sent to you via email during January 2019. Please keep an eye on your inbox for this (and your junk folders too as).
If you have not built up a reward and your balance is negative, you will not receive a reward. If your reward is negative do not worry, we will not be asking for this money back.
What if I user a timer on my EV to take advantage of Economy 7 or to charge when my solar power is generating?
You don’t have to use the Crowd Charge app.
You can carry on using you EV’s timer to take advantage of your Economy 7 or solar generation.
If you do, your Reward will go up! And we will pay you the Reward you earn.
Do I still pay for charging my EV?
Yes, your energy supplier will still charge you for the energy you use to charge your EV during this part of the trial, but at your contracted rate.
The Electric Nation simulated tariff does not affect your electricity supply contract or price.
What are the terms of participating in the Electric Nation Smart Charging Reward?
By participant in the reward aspect of the trial you agree to the following terms and conditions:
- The Electric Nation Smart Charging Reward is only available to participants in the Electric Nation Customer Trial
- EV charging transactions on an Electric Nation supplied Smart Charger will be eligible for Reward credits/debits from the date participants are invited to use the new version of the Crowd Charge App. The Reward value for a charging transaction is based on receiving regular meter values from the charger during a charging transaction. Where communications are lost for all or part of a charging transaction and meter values are not recorded then the Reward value for that transaction shall be £0.00.
- The reward only applies to those Electric Nation trial participants who have had their charger put into smart charging mode. Trial participants who’s charger communications have not worked satisfactorily and have not been put into smart charging mode will not be invited to join this part of the trial and will not be eligible for the reward.
- The Reward does not replace any contractual relationship Electric Nation trial participants have with their Energy Supplier
- To receive the Reward participants do not have to change energy supplier
- To receive the reward participants do not need to notify their energy supplier about the Reward
- The Reward does not imply any contractual arrangement to supply electricity to the participant by any of the collaboration partners or suppliers to the Electric Nation project
- The Reward only relates to electricity consumed in charging an EV through an Electric Nation supplied Smart Charger – as measured by the Smart Charger’s internal meter.
- The reward supplied by the project is an Amazon voucher; this is not transferable. No other reward will be available to participants. The value of the voucher is determined by Crowd Charge’s calculation at the end of trial date; this is
- The project’s records of EV charging transactions, as received through Crowd Charge from each trial participants charger will be the true and final record of energy transactions on that charger. Lost transaction records (for any reason) will not count towards the Reward value.
- Electric Nation’s valuation of the Reward is final and indisputable. There is no appeal process for valuation of the Reward. Customer records/estimates of charging transactions will not be taken into account by the project.
- Crowd Charge have the final say on the total reward balance of a participant’s charger/account; their decision is indisputable.
- All other household electricity consumption, including EV charging through other EV chargers (not Electric Nation supplied) will not (cannot) be measured by Electric Nation nor will it be eligible for the Reward.
- These Terms of Participation may be changed, participants will be notified of any changes.
- The maximum reward you can earn on this Electric Nation Smart Charging reward trial is £100.
