Priority charging: When to choose chargepoint priority and when to choose session priority?
Smart charging with priority: choosing between chargepoint and session
Smart charging with priority: choosing between chargepoint and session
At Maxem, we ensure that charging infrastructure not only works but performs optimally within the limits of capacity, cost, and usage. Charging with priority is an important tool in this. In this blog, we explain what it is, the difference between chargepoint and session priority, and when to use each variant.
What is priority charging? Priority charging is a smart way to distribute charging power between multiple electric vehicles. Instead of all cars receiving the same charging power, you give priority to specific vehicles or sessions.
This is especially relevant at locations where grid capacity is limited, multiple vehicles are charging at the same time, and not everyone has the same charging needs. With priority charging, you ensure that the available energy goes where it is most needed at that moment.
Two variants of priority charging
1. Chargepoint-based priority charging (Plus): In this variant, a specific chargepoint gets priority over other charging stations.
How does it work? A chargepoint is designated as a priority chargepoint. This chargepoint always receives the maximum available capacity. As soon as multiple cars are charging and capacity needs to be distributed, this chargepoint gets priority over the others.
‘In practice: You have an office park with 12 chargepoints and 66 kW available capacity. Two chargepoints at the entrance are designated as VIP spots. Cars charging here automatically receive 11 kW. The remaining 10 chargepoints are dialed down to maintain the total limit of 66 kW.’
When do you use this?
• Priority is location-based, e.g., logistics vehicles with fixed spots
• VIP parking spots or fast charging zones for example customers
• Situations where you as a manager do not want to continuously intervene
Advantages:
• Easy to set up
• Predictable behavior
• Suitable for fixed situations
Limitation: The priority is attached to the chargepoint, not to the user or the actual need.
2. Session-based priority charging (Performance): This variant takes it a step further. Here, priority is assigned to a charging session, not to a chargepoint, regardless of where that vehicle is parked.
How does it work? A specific session receives priority. You assign this via the Maxem dashboard or the Maxem Energy App. That session then receives the maximum capacity, while other sessions are automatically limited to stay within the total limit.
When do you use this?
• Locations where the charging demand depends on trip planning, e.g., which driver needs to be on the road first?
• Situations where vehicles do not always park in fixed spots
• Dynamic fleets with changing priorities
• When you as a manager want to actively steer based on current operational needs.
Advantages:
• Very flexible
• Smart optimization of energy use
• Fits with operational processes
Limitation: This requires good alignment with processes, data, and management.
Smart choices in practice
From fleet operators, we often hear that chargepoint-based priority quickly becomes constraining in busy charging lots. Vehicles are parked where there is space, not necessarily where the manager would ideally like. With session-based priority, you make every chargepoint flexible. You assign the capacity in the Maxem Energy Cloud to the session that needs it the most at that moment.
At the same time, we see the opposite pattern in commercial real estate. VIP stations at the entrance provide visitors with a premium experience. There, chargepoint-based priority is not only functional but also part of customer-focused service.
When to choose which variant? Priority charging helps maintain control over capacity, costs, and usage. But the right choice does not start with the technology. A crucial question when making the choice is: Which vehicles need to charge when?
Our vision Choose chargepoint-based when the situation is predictable, priorities are fixed, and ease of use is more important than flexibility. Choose session-based when your processes are dynamic, you want to maximize efficiency from your capacity, and actively steer based on data and planning.
Availability (Subscriptions)
Priority charging (both forms) is available through the Maxem Energy Cloud.
How do we help you further?
The right charging strategy does not choose itself. Whether you are a fleet manager wanting to control trip planning, a property owner wanting to provide visitors with a premium experience, or a facilities manager wanting to prevent capacity shortages, Maxem thinks along with you.
