Frequently Asked Questions
EVnSteven turns any unmetered EV charging station or electrical outlet into a paid charging station without need to add any additional hardware.
1.1 What is an unmetered charging station?
An unmetered EV charging station simply lacks monitoring capabilities or metering. When multiple users share one of these stations, it is difficult to track individual usage.
It is important to understand that dumb chargers are not integrated into a network. In other words, the charger hardware is not connected to or capable of communicating with a larger system. Due to this absence of communication, the charger cannot be monitored or tracked. While dumb chargers lack the necessary hardware and software for network connectivity, it is possible to track time at the Station using EVnSteven and therefore recover the costs of operating that station.
1.2 How does EVnSteven calculate costs?
Costs are calculated on a per-minute basis. The owner of the station decides on the rates for peak and off-peak hours, or can make the station free and simply track usage. Helping the station owner decide on the cost per minute is a little more tricky because we don't have access to the EV or station information. So we have to make some assumptions in order to arrive at an estimate that will allow the owner of the station to operate without losses. Here is some of the reasoning we have used.
Typically, AC charging stations deliver constant maximum power for the entire duration of a charging session. The power curve may taper slightly at the start and end, but if we assume constant power, we can safely calculate the per unit of time cost of a charging session by multiplying the power rating of the charging station by the duration of the charging session. For example, if a charging station is rated at 7.2kW and the charging session lasts 1 hour, the cost of the charging session is 7.2kWh. If the cost of electricity is $0.10 per kWh, the cost of the charging session is $0.72, or $0.72 per hour.
This is a simplification of the actual cost of charging. In reality, the cost of charging is based on the amount of energy delivered to the battery. The amount of energy delivered to the battery is less than the amount of energy consumed by the charging station. The difference is due to the inefficiencies of the charging station. The amount of energy delivered to the battery is typically 90% to 95% of the amount of energy consumed by the charging station. The actual cost of charging is the amount of energy delivered to the battery multiplied by the cost of electricity.
For example, if the charging station is rated at 7.2kW and the charging session lasts 1 hour, the cost of the charging session is 7.2kWh. If the cost of electricity is $0.10 per kWh, the cost of the charging session is $0.72. If the charging station is 90% efficient, the amount of energy delivered to the battery is 90% of 7.2kWh or 6.48kWh. The actual cost of the charging session is 6.48kWh multiplied by $0.10 per kWh or $0.65. The difference between the actual cost of charging and the simplified cost of charging is $0.07. This is a small difference, but it can add up over time.
An easy way to handle this is by adding a 10% surcharge to the cost of charging. This will cover the difference between the actual cost of charging and the simplified cost of charging. Station owners can determine their own surcharge based on their own unique situation.
1.3 What about higher power stations?
Some L2 charging stations can deliver higher power than the average EV can take. For example, if a 19kW station is connected to a 7.2kW EV, the EV can only take half the power the station can deliver. In this case, the cost of charging is half the cost of the charging station. We currently don't handle this situation because we believe this may be an edge case. If this becomes a common situation, we will consider adding support for it. In the meantime, station owners will have to monitor their own power usage to ensure they are operating without a loss.
1.4 Does EVnSteven allow me to resell electricity?
No. EVnSteven allows you to profitably provide an electrified parking spot for the purpose of trickle-charging an EV for a specified unit of time.
1.5 How do I determine my hourly rates?
Carefully determine your operational costs prior to setting your hourly rates. Examine your power utility bill to make sure you are up to date with their current rates. Use the rate calculator in the station setup to help you set your hourly rate and remember to include a markup to include your operational costs while remaining competitive with other stations in the area. Utilities often have different rates for different times of the day. You may be able to charge more during peak hours and less during off-peak hours. EVnSteven handles up to 5 rates for time of use (TOU), but does not yet cover situations such as Quebec Hydro dual energy or BC Hydro stepped rates (see below). Other considerations include the cost of maintenance, insurance, taxes, parking, security, and any other costs associated with operating a charging station. Regularly review your rates to ensure you are covering your costs and making a profit. Plan for the future by setting aside a
portion of your profits for future upgrades and maintenance. Upgrading to metered charging stations should become more and more affordable as the cost of the technology decreases. Plan and budget for the future so you don't get caught unprepared.
1.6 Are stepped rates handled?
Many utilities rate structure includes a step system for residential customers, designed to encourage energy conservation. This structure is divided into two steps: the first step applies to the initial block of energy used within a billing period, charged at a lower rate, and the second step applies to all additional energy used, charged at a higher rate. The threshold between these steps is set based on average consumption levels, meaning that customers who use electricity sparingly are more likely to stay within the first, cheaper rate step, while those with higher usage will pay more per unit for the electricity used beyond the threshold, incentivize energy-saving practices. If you discover you are consistently over your rate threshold, you could simply set your hourly rates based the higher step.
1.6.5 Do you support Rate DT - Dual Energy? e.g., Hydro Québec
We are excited to be including this in a future version. Please contact us if you believe this is an important issue for you. Email: rate-dt-dual-energy@evnsteven.app
1.7 How are taxes calculated?
Typically, a value-added tax is added to the total session cost. Some jurisdictions call this a VAT or GST. We provide a three-digit code to name your tax and a percentage for the amount. Also, we include a tax ID field for your tax ID number. This is optional. If you don't have a tax ID or are not required to collect tax, you can leave this blank. Consult your local tax regulations for specific guidance.
2. Account and Registration
2.1 Do I need to create an account to use EVnSteven?
Yes, you need to create an account to access all the useful features of EVnSteven. You can register by logging in with your Google or Apple account. We receive your name and email during registration. User account management will be enhanced in the future and is subject to change.
3. How do I reset my password?
EVnSteven does not require a password. You log in with your Google or Apple credentials.
Using EVnSteven
4. How do I find nearby charging stations?
In the app, go to the "Charging Stations" tab and search for a location by name or ID. If the location does not exist, you may have to contact the station owner and ask for permission to add it or have them add it.
Technical Support
5. I'm experiencing technical issues with EVnSteven. What should I do?
If you encounter any technical issues or have questions about using EVnSteven, please reach out to our support team at support@evnsteven.app. We'll be happy to assist you.
6. How can I provide feedback or suggestions for improving EVnSteven?
We value your feedback and suggestions for improving EVnSteven. You can send us your feedback through the "Feedback" button in the app or by emailing us at feedback@evnsteven.app. We appreciate your input!
7. How can we solve our load balancing issue in our strata
DCC Electric may be able to help you with this. Visit their website at [DCCElectric.com](https://dccelectric.com).