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Charging Modes

Charging modes control when your PlugStream charge point is allowed to deliver energy.

You can change the charging mode in the MyPlugStream app or, for managed sites, in PlugStream Cloud. The exact options available can depend on the charge point model, firmware, site configuration, and account permissions.

This article explains the customer-facing charging modes and when to use each one.

Charging mode and power mode are different

A charging mode decides when charging can happen. A power mode, such as Boost, Eco, or Solar where available, affects how charging is delivered. For example, a charger can be in Scheduled Charging mode and still use a power mode that limits or prioritises available energy.

Quick comparison

Mode What it does Best for
UK Smart Charging Regulations Uses regulatory default charging behaviour, including randomised delay where required. Everyday compliant charging without a custom schedule.
Plug & Charge Starts charging automatically when the vehicle is plugged in and ready. Simple home or workplace charging.
Scheduled Charging Only charges during the time windows you choose. Fixed off-peak windows or predictable routines.
PlugStream Sense Plans around lower-cost periods where tariff data is available, while protecting your ready-by time. Tariff-aware charging and readiness protection.
Manual Charging must be started and stopped manually. Testing, troubleshooting, or restricted-use sites.

UK Smart Charging Regulations

UK Smart Charging Regulations mode uses the default behaviour required for compliant UK smart charging.

In this mode, your charger may:

  • avoid charging during default peak periods
  • apply a short randomised start delay
  • wait until the next allowed charging window
  • authenticate with PlugStream services before charging

This is normal behaviour. If the vehicle is plugged in but charging has not started yet, check Charger readiness in the app. It may show that charging is waiting for a schedule window or random delay.

Use this mode when you want simple compliant charging without creating your own custom charging schedule.

Plug & Charge

Plug & Charge starts charging automatically when a vehicle is plugged in and the charger is ready.

This is the simplest mode for most day-to-day charging. The charger still checks that it is allowed to charge, but you do not need to press start each time.

Use this mode when:

  • you want charging to begin as soon as possible
  • you do not need a fixed schedule
  • you are not trying to target specific tariff windows

If charging does not begin, check Charger readiness for the reason. The charger may be offline, waiting for the vehicle, paused by load balancing, disabled, or reporting a fault.

Scheduled Charging

Scheduled Charging lets you choose fixed charging windows, such as overnight or during a known off-peak period.

For example, you might create a schedule that allows charging from 23:30 to 05:30 every weekday.

Use this mode when:

  • your electricity tariff has predictable off-peak hours
  • you want charging to happen only during set times
  • you prefer a fixed routine rather than automatic tariff planning

Scheduled Charging is time-based. It does not automatically choose the cheapest half-hourly rates unless you update the schedule yourself.

If your vehicle sometimes fails to wake when a scheduled charging window starts, Vehicle Wake Assist can help compatible vehicles stay responsive while waiting.

PlugStream Sense

PlugStream Sense is PlugStream's intelligent charging mode.

It is designed to plan charging around lower-cost periods where tariff data is available, while protecting the time you need the vehicle ready by.

PlugStream Sense may ask for:

  • your electricity supplier or tariff
  • how much energy you need
  • your ready-by or departure time
  • your region or linked tariff details

Use this mode when:

  • you want PlugStream to help plan lower-cost charging
  • you want a ready-by target rather than just a fixed schedule
  • your tariff has cheaper periods that can be used for charging
  • you want clearer cost and saving estimates in the app

PlugStream Sense Monitoring

Some tariffs, such as supplier-managed intelligent charging products, may require the energy supplier to control the smart charging schedule.

In those cases, the app may show PlugStream Sense Monitoring.

This means:

  • your supplier controls the smart charging schedule
  • PlugStream does not override that supplier schedule
  • PlugStream Sense monitors charger state and readiness risk
  • savings should be treated as supplier-managed unless PlugStream applied the charging plan

If the app shows a cost or saving estimate, treat it as an estimate rather than your supplier's official bill.

Manual

Manual mode means charging does not automatically start just because the vehicle is plugged in.

You must start and stop charging from the app or PlugStream Cloud.

Use this mode when:

  • support has asked you to test charging manually
  • the charger is being commissioned
  • a site operator wants direct control over when charging starts
  • you temporarily do not want automatic charging behaviour

Manual mode is useful for troubleshooting, but it is usually not the best everyday mode for home charging.

Charge Now and Boost

You may also see actions such as Charge Now, Boost, or Boost 60m.

These are temporary actions, not permanent charging modes. They can start or extend charging without changing your saved charging mode.

For example, if your charger is in Scheduled Charging or PlugStream Sense mode, Charge Now may start a temporary charging session while keeping your saved settings for next time.

Which mode should I choose?

  • Choose Plug & Charge if you want the simplest experience.
  • Choose Scheduled Charging if you know exactly when you want charging to happen.
  • Choose PlugStream Sense if you want tariff-aware planning with ready-by protection.
  • Choose UK Smart Charging Regulations if you want default compliant behaviour.
  • Choose Manual only if you want direct start and stop control.

If charging does not start when expected

Open the charger in the MyPlugStream app and check Charger readiness.

Charger readiness can tell you whether the charger is:

  • waiting for a schedule window
  • waiting because of a random delay
  • waiting for the vehicle
  • paused by load balancing or a site limit
  • offline
  • disabled
  • faulted

These articles can help:

Before contacting support

Note the charging mode, the Charger readiness message, and whether the vehicle is plugged in. This helps support identify whether the charger is waiting by design or needs attention.

Still need help?

Contact PlugStream Support and include enough detail for the team to find your charger and understand what happened.

Please include:

  • charger serial number, if you have it
  • MyPlugStream account email or site contact email
  • LED colour or Charger readiness message
  • what you expected to happen and what happened instead
  • photos of the charger, cable, connector, or installation area if relevant
  • screenshots from the MyPlugStream app if relevant

See How to contact PlugStream Support.