Ohme Technologies Ltd, a British start-up, just launched a charger that can save over $500 a year. The company designed this product, an intelligent home charger for your electric vehicle, to draw only the cheapest energy.
It can be controlled by an app on your smartphone activated by your voice when you plug in your car. The car then charges based on how much power is needed for the next journey. It cuts costs by channeling more electricity at times when electricity is used less, so it’s cheaper.
Ohme has also made deals with electric companies like Octopus Electric that charge you according to time of use, which would come out to a fifth of the price of gasoline in the U.K.
According to Ohme, the advantages of using their system extend far beyond saving drivers money. In addition, this will reduce the electricity demand of the national grid at peak hours.
Environmentalists can rest easy with Ohme’s charger, as they can choose to only charge when the energy from renewable sources outweighs that originating in fossil fuels. The app can also save you money by extending the life of the battery by remaining at full charge for less time.
Chargers can be purchased for just over $500, or just over $250 when bought through Octopus Energy, with whom Ohme has a deal. Those who pre-ordered this product will find it delivered soon if it hasn’t already arrived. Once standard orders begin, they should arrive within 10 business days.
“Electric vehicle drivers have been crying out for an easy to use, cost-effective smart charging solution and Ohme is just that,” said Ohme CEO David Watson. “Not only will we help accelerate the mass adoption of EVs by revolutionizing the domestic charging landscape, we will take a lot of the capacity strain and financial stress off the electricity network operators.”