Priority charging: When to choose chargepoint priority and when to choose session priority?

At Maxem, we ensure that charging infrastructure not only works but performs optimally within the limits of capacity, costs, and usage. Charging with priority is an important tool in this regard. In this blog, we explain what it is, the difference between chargepoint and session priority, and when to use which variant.

What is priority charging? Priority charging is a smart way to distribute charging power among 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 simultaneously, and not everyone has the same charging requirements. 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 is given 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. When multiple cars are charging and capacity needs to be distributed, this chargepoint is prioritized over the rest.

'In practice: You have an office park with 12 chargepoints and 66 kW available capacity. You designate two chargepoints at the entrance as VIP spots. Cars charging here automatically receive 11 kW. The remaining 10 chargepoints are scaled back to maintain the total limit of 66 kW.'

When do you use this?

• Priority is location-bound, e.g., logistics vehicles with fixed spots

• VIP parking spots or fast charging zones for customers, for example

• Situations where you as a manager do not wish to constantly adjust

Advantages:

• Easy to set up

• Predictable behavior

• Suitable for fixed situations

Limitation: Priority is linked 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 given to a charging session, not to a chargepoint, regardless of where the vehicle is parked.

How does it work? A specific session is given 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 charging demand depends on trip planning, e.g., which driver needs to be on the road first?

• Situations where vehicles are not always parked 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

• Aligns with operational processes

Limitation: This requires good alignment with processes, data, and management.

Smart choices in practice

Fleet operators often tell us that chargepoint-bound priority quickly becomes a constraint at busy charging areas. 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 most at that moment.

Meanwhile, in commercial real estate, we see the opposite pattern. VIP poles at the entrance provide visitors with a premium experience. There, chargepoint-based priority is not only functional but also part of customer-oriented service.

When to choose which variant? Priority charging helps to maintain control over capacity, costs, and usage. But the right choice does not start with the technology. An important question when making the choice is: Which vehicles need to be able to charge when?

Our vision Choose chargepoint-based if the situation is predictable, priorities are fixed, and ease of use is more important than flexibility. Choose session-based if your processes are dynamic, you want to maximize efficiency from your capacity, and you want to actively steer based on data and planning.

Availability (Subscriptions): Priority charging (both forms) is available through the Maxem Energy Cloud.

How can we help you further?

The right charging strategy does not choose itself. Whether you are a fleet manager looking to keep control over trip planning, a property owner wanting to offer visitors a premium experience, or a facility manager looking to prevent capacity shortages, Maxem thinks along with you.