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Vehicle Wake Assist

Vehicle Wake Assist is an optional reliability feature for scheduled charging.

Some vehicles can go into a deep sleep while they are plugged in and waiting for a scheduled charging window. When the window starts, the charger may be ready, but the vehicle may not wake quickly enough to request energy.

Vehicle Wake Assist helps by briefly offering a low charging signal while the charger is waiting for a schedule. This can help keep compatible vehicles responsive before the scheduled charge begins.

The setting is off by default and is only available on supported charger models and firmware.

This is not a savings feature

Vehicle Wake Assist does not choose cheaper energy periods or change your tariff plan. It is designed to improve charging reliability for vehicles that sleep during a scheduled wait.

When to use Vehicle Wake Assist

Consider enabling Vehicle Wake Assist if:

  • you use Scheduled Charging or PlugStream Sense
  • the vehicle is plugged in for a long time before charging is due to start
  • the MyPlugStream app says the charger is waiting for a schedule, but the vehicle does not reliably start when the window opens
  • the vehicle app shows the car asleep or slow to wake before charging
  • PlugStream Support has suggested it for your vehicle

You usually do not need it if scheduled charging already starts reliably.

How it works

When Vehicle Wake Assist is enabled and supported by your charger firmware:

  • it only runs while the charger is waiting for a local schedule or PlugStream Sense charging window
  • it sends a brief low-current wake pulse
  • the pulse is limited to 6 A
  • each pulse lasts about 10 seconds
  • pulses are spaced about 5 minutes apart
  • it stops automatically when normal charging starts

The feature is deliberately gentle. It is not intended to add meaningful charge to the vehicle before your scheduled charging window.

When it stops

Vehicle Wake Assist stops when:

  • your scheduled charging window starts
  • you use Charge Now or Boost
  • the vehicle is unplugged
  • the charger is disabled
  • the charger reports a fault
  • charging is blocked by site load control, load balancing, or a site limit
  • Vehicle Wake Assist is turned off

It does not override charger safety limits, site power limits, vehicle charge limits, or supplier-managed schedules.

How to enable it in the MyPlugStream app

  1. Open the MyPlugStream app.
  2. Select your charger.
  3. Open Settings or Charging settings.
  4. Find Vehicle Wake Assist.
  5. Turn the toggle on.
  6. Save your changes.

If the option is greyed out, your charger model or firmware may not support Vehicle Wake Assist yet. Check for firmware updates or contact PlugStream Support.

How to enable it in PlugStream Cloud

If you manage chargers in PlugStream Cloud, open the charger settings and look for Vehicle Wake Assist in the charging options.

The setting is only shown for chargers that support it. Changes may take a short time to reach the charger if it is offline or has a poor connection.

What you may see in Charger readiness

While the charger is waiting for a schedule, Charger readiness may still show Waiting for schedule. That is expected.

Where supported, the charger can also report whether Vehicle Wake Assist is enabled or currently active. This helps PlugStream Support understand whether the feature is helping during a scheduled wait.

If charging still does not start

Vehicle Wake Assist cannot force a vehicle to charge if another setting is blocking it.

If charging still does not start when expected:

  1. Check the vehicle app for a separate charging schedule.
  2. Check the vehicle battery charge limit.
  3. Check the charger's Charging mode and schedule in MyPlugStream.
  4. Check Charger readiness for schedule, vehicle, load balancing, offline, disabled, or fault messages.
  5. Try Charge Now once to confirm the vehicle and charger can charge immediately.

If Charge Now works but scheduled charging does not, the issue is usually related to schedule timing, vehicle sleep behaviour, or a vehicle-side setting.

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.