SmartCost: show when cheap charging will be possible

[Horgul123]

If I set a smartpricelimit and EVCC is in PV mode, I don't see in the UI when cheap charging will be possible (if it starts e.g. in 2 hours) or if it's possible at the moment.

Would like to see in the UI if/when "cheap" charging is possible.

EVCC v0.127.1

[naltatis]

@andig Currently we don't have this info in the UI (without polling tariffs REST API). I'd suggest that we introduce a new loadpoint datafield (similar to the existing planProjectedStart) that indicates if and when smartCost charging will be active in the upcoming hours that we can see right now. This date field code be called smartCostNextStart or smartCostProjectedStart if we want to be in sync with plan API.

[andig]

I dont think that smart cost is necessarily plannable, e.g. not for dynamic tariffs. Isn‘t this issue about having an active indicator?

[naltatis]

if it starts e.g. in 2 hours

For tariffs with forecast (like Tibber) we can look into the future and know if the price will drop under the configured limit any time soon.

[naltatis]

The active indicator based on smartCostActive is already present.

[andig]

or if it's possible at the moment.

Seems we‘re not using that?

[naltatis]

@Horgul123 just to avoid confusion. You mentioned 1. if & 2. when smart charging is possible.

1.1. if cheap charging is possible

Charging depending on price or co2 is always possible when a supporting tariff is configured. I don't think we need an extra indicator in the main UI for this, since this does not change without reconfiguration. If such a tariff exists, can be seen in the loadpoint modal.

1.2. if cheap charging, currently active

We also have a status message that's shows when fast charging due to cheap price is activated.

2. when will it be possible?

This one we currently dont show in the main ui. It's only visible in the loadpoint settings modal. I'd suggest we'll add this information also as a status message when a cheap time window appears in the foreseeable future.

Does this match with your intention of this issue?

[Horgul123]

@naltatis 1.1: cheap charging possible: I don't mean if I configured a tariff which allows it. I mean: Is it possible NOW based on the current price and my setting (e.g.: current price 25ct, limit 26ct -> Cheap charing is available now. As far as I know this is not displayed in the main UI when no car is connected. My idea: e.g. on Monday I set a limit of 15ct. On Monday and Tuesday the price is always >15ct. Then Wednesday noon the price drops below 15ct. When my car is not connected (e.g. rainy day and no PV energy available) I would maybe miss this chance. When it is displayed in the main UI (e.g. "Cheap charging possible now -> Please connect your car") I would have a change to see this hint and connect my car to the wallbox. And a hint like "cheap charging possible in x hours at 14:00 " would be great, too. This would increase the chance to connect the car.

1.2: Yes, I know it's displayed when the car is connected. But see 1.1.: It's only visible when the car is connected

2. A status message in the main UI is want I thought about (see 1.1)

So yes, such a message in the main UI is want I really would like to see. I think this could help other people, too. At the moment I check the Tibber priceinformation to know when I need to plug in my car

[naltatis]

Ok, thanks for the clarification. The status message when not connected was not on my radar. I guess it's because i always plugin when I come home. But I think its a good idea to add cheap charging availability (now or in x hours) event if no vehicle is connected.

[Horgul123]

Thanks a lot for accepting this idea :)

I normally plug in only if I want to charge because I tend to forget that the car is plugged in and then I'm wondering we the car didn't start :P