# What is Smart Charging

**Smart Charging** is a technology used for charging **electric vehicles (EVs)**.

Instead of starting the charging process **immediately and at full power**, it is **intelligently managed** – for example, based on:

- the **time of day** (e.g., at night),
- the **current electricity price**,
- or the **availability of renewable energy**.

**The goal: reduce costs**, **ease the load on the power grid**, and **charge more sustainably.**

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## How can I use Smart Charging in practice?

1. **To optimize costs:**  
Your vehicle automatically charges when electricity is cheapest – typically at night or during times of energy surplus.

2. **With user-controlled settings:**  
You can define your preferences, such as:
   - A **time frame** for charging  
   (e.g., between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.)  
   - A target battery level  
   (e.g., 80% charge)

Charging is then planned **automatically in the background**, according to your preferences.

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## How can I charge even more efficiently?

With our **NeoGrid program**, charging becomes even smarter, more cost-effective, and climate-friendly.

👉 [Learn more about NeoGrid now](https://support.ostrom.de/en/collections/9176056-virtual-power-plant-vpp)

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