FlexCharging integrates WattTime’s Automated Emissions Reduction (AER) into charging software, allows electric vehicles to optimize their smart charging to reduce grid emissions

Redmond, Wash. and Oakland, Calif.—March 10, 2022—Today electric vehicle (EV) smart charging platform FlexCharging announced an exciting new feature available in its app. FlexCharging’s software will now allow EV drivers to prioritize lower grid emissions during their charging sessions. The feature will leverage Automated Emissions Reduction (AER), a solution from environmental tech nonprofit WattTime that allows smart devices—including EVs charging—to sync their electricity use with moments of cleaner energy while avoiding times when power grid emissions are higher.

“We know that EV drivers are highly motivated to make a positive environmental impact,” explained Laura McCarty, COO of FlexCharging. “This new feature in our app puts more power in the hands of EV drivers to shrink their carbon footprint even further, while also saving on electricity costs.”

FlexCharging’s app already allows EV drivers to optimize their charging sessions to minimize electricity costs and/or to charge using their home’s rooftop solar PV energy. The additional ability to prioritize charging to avoid times of dirtier grid electricity incorporates a powerful new feature into the platform. Just-released analysis from RMI, More EVs, Fewer Emissions, found that charging EVs on all grids across the United States is cleaner than driving a gasoline-fueled car, but that smart charging can make EVs even cleaner by further reducing the grid emissions associated with their electricity use. (WattTime and FlexCharging both provided data for RMI’s analysis.)

“Smart EV charging is an incredible opportunity to support the clean energy transition,” said Christy Lewis, Director of Analysis at WattTime. “We applaud FlexCharging for taking a leading role with a solution that makes it easy for drivers: they set their preferences in the app, start their next charge session, and walk away. FlexCharging’s platform handles the rest. Drivers return to a charged battery and a lower carbon footprint.”

The FlexCharging app is compatible with EVs from nearly a dozen major automakers, including Tesla, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, and Volkswagen, with new makes and models being added to the platform soon. The app is also applicable to EV fleet owners and operators such as cities, as well as utilities, corporations, and other organizations interested in harnessing managed charging to reduce their total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions footprint.

About FlexCharging

FlexCharging is a no-hardware Electric Vehicle (EV) data collection and managed charging app and platform. It allows EV drivers and utilities to partner to manage EV charging to reduce peak EV loads, reduce peaking capacity needs and demonstrate to utilities and customers the results of utility programs' reduction in GHG emissions and power costs. FlexCharging provides EV charging, driving and 'dwell' data that provides important insights to utilities (e.g., charge location, time, amount, type of charge, etc.) and runs an optimization algorithm to manage charging to meet driver needs and utility program constraints.

About WattTime

WattTime is an environmental tech nonprofit that empowers all people, companies, policymakers, and countries to slash emissions and choose cleaner energy. Founded by UC Berkeley researchers, we develop data-driven tools and policies that increase environmental and social good. During the energy transition from a fossil-fueled past to a zero-carbon future, WattTime ‘bends the curve’ of emissions reductions to realize deeper, faster benefits for people and the planet.