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Smart charging station: what is it and why choose smart charging?
Feb 4, 2026
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Smart charging station: what is it and why choose smart charging?
Are you considering installing a charging station for your electric car? Then you have probably come across the terms 'smart charging station' and 'smart charging'. But what exactly makes a charging station smart? And why should you choose an intelligent charging station instead of a regular, so-called dumb charging station? In this article, we explain everything about how smart charging stations work, their features, and their benefits. This will help you make an informed choice.
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What exactly is a smart charging station?
A smart charging station is a charging station that is connected to the internet and has advanced software. Just like a smartphone or smartwatch, such an intelligent charging point can record data, execute commands, and communicate with other devices in your home. The charging station is connected to your car, your solar panels, and an app that allows you to set up and monitor everything.
The big difference with a dumb charging station? A regular charging station simply supplies power to your car as soon as you connect the cable. Nothing more. A smart charging station, on the other hand, takes your home energy consumption into account, can automatically charge when electricity is cheapest, and makes optimal use of the energy generated by your solar panels.
Smart charging station vs. dumb charging station: the difference
To understand the added value of a smart charging station, it is useful to compare the two types:
Feature | Dumb charging station | Smart charging station |
Internet connection | No | Yes |
App control | No | Yes |
Load Balancing | No | Yes |
Solar charging | Limited | Optimal |
Schedule charging sessions | No | Yes |
Monitor energy consumption | No | Yes |
Suitable for dynamic rates | No | Yes |
A dumb charging station costs less to purchase, but in the long term, a smart charging station is often more economical thanks to lower charging costs and efficient energy management.
The most important smart features of an intelligent charging station
What makes a charging station truly smart? It's the smart features that make the difference. Let's go over the most important ones:
Dynamic Load Balancing: prevent overload
Load Balancing is perhaps the most important feature of a smart charging station. Charging an electric car requires a lot of power. If you use the dishwasher, washing machine, and oven at the same time, your power connection can become overloaded. The fuses blow and the power goes out.
Dynamic Load Balancing prevents this problem. The system measures how much power is being consumed in your home every second. As soon as a critical limit is approached, the charging station automatically reduces the charging capacity. Does more capacity become available? Then charging is automatically increased. This ensures that your car is always charged safely and efficiently, without the risk of overload.
Charging with solar energy: use your own power
Do you have solar panels on your roof? Then a smart charging station is an absolute must. Using the app, you can set your car to charge only with the power generated by your solar panels. Is the sun shining brightly? Then your car will charge quickly with free green energy. Is it cloudy and do you need to charge your car urgently? Then the system will supplement with grid power.
By charging smartly using solar energy, your charging costs can fall below €0.10 per kWh. By comparison, at a public charging station you pay an average of €0.50 per kWh, and at a fast charging station even €0.60 to €0.75 per kWh. The difference is enormous.
App control and monitoring
Each smart charging station comes with a corresponding app. This allows you to schedule charging sessions, monitor energy consumption, check the charging status, and adjust the charging capacity. Do you have multiple users? Then everyone can log in with their own charging card, so that the costs per user are recorded. This is useful if the car is a company car or if you want to exclude guest use.
How much does a smart charging station cost in Belgium?
The price of a smart charging station in Belgium averages between €800 and €1,500 for the device alone. Installation costs are additional. Popular brands include Wallbox, Alfen, Smappee, and EVBox. Each brand offers different models with varying features.
Here is an overview of the average costs:
Cost | Average price |
Dumb charging station (basic model) | €300 – €600 |
Smart charging station | €800 – €1,500 |
Installation (standard) | €300 – €800 |
Installation (complex) | €800 – €2,000 |
Mandatory AREI inspection | €100 – €200 |
Connection upgrade (if necessary) | €150 – €1,200 |
A complete installation of a smart charging station usually costs between €1,000 and €4,000 in Belgium, depending on your situation. Factors that influence the price are the distance between your meter box and the parking space, any excavation work, and whether your power connection needs to be upgraded.
Tax benefits: what is still possible?
Important: the federal tax reduction for private individuals (up to 45%) was discontinued on August 31, 2024. This means you can no longer receive a tax reduction for the purchase of a smart charging station at home. However, there are other benefits:
Reduced VAT rate of 6%: For homes that are at least 10 years old, you can benefit from 6% VAT instead of 21%. Conditions: the charging station must be installed on the exterior wall, in the garage, or in the carport. Installations in the garden or driveway are subject to the standard VAT rate of 21%. The installation must be carried out by a certified installer.
Municipal subsidies: Some municipalities offer local subsidies for the installation of a charging station. The amounts vary from €300 to €600 depending on your municipality. Check with your municipality or energy center.
For businesses: In 2026, a 40% investment deduction will still apply to publicly accessible charging stations. The 100% cost deduction will continue to apply. From 2027 onwards, these benefits will be phased out gradually.
The advantages of a smart charging station at a glance
Why are more and more people choosing a smart charging station instead of a regular charging station? These are the main benefits:
Lower charging costs: by charging smartly using solar energy or during off-peak hours, you can save up to 30% on your energy bill. Charging at home costs €0.22 to €0.30 per kWh, compared to €0.50 per kWh at a public charging station.
No risk of overload: Load Balancing ensures that your fuses never blow, even during peak consumption.
Optimal use of solar panels: your surplus solar energy goes directly to your car instead of to the grid.
Complete insight into your consumption: the app shows you exactly how much each charging session costs and how much energy you are consuming.
Future-proof: smart charging stations are prepared for new technologies such as bidirectional charging, which allows your car to serve as a home battery.
Optimize your charging costs on the road with Electra
Smart charging at home is one thing, but you also want to be able to charge quickly and affordably on the road. With the Electra fast-charging network, you can charge your electric car at powerful stations with transparent rates.
Rate | Price per kWh |
With Electra+ subscription | From €0.29 |
With app (without subscription) | $0.39 – $0.61 |
Without app (bank card) | From €0.61 |
With the Electra+ subscription, you pay a fixed low rate at all fast charging stations in the network. This allows you to combine smart home charging with affordable fast charging on the go.
Frequently asked questions about smart charging stations
How exactly does a smart charging station work?
A smart charging station is connected to the internet and communicates with your meter box, solar panels, and an app. The system continuously measures the power consumption in your home and automatically adjusts the charging capacity. Via the app, you can schedule charging sessions, monitor consumption, and choose whether you want to charge using solar energy or grid power.
Do I need a smart charging station if I have solar panels?
Technically not required, but highly recommended. With a smart charging station, you can set your car to charge only when your solar panels are generating enough power. This allows you to make optimal use of your solar energy and reduce your charging costs to below €0.10 per kWh. A dumb charging station does not offer this option.
What is the difference between a charging station and a Wallbox?
A Wallbox is a brand of charging stations, but the term is also used as a synonym for a wall-mounted charging station. A charging station is usually mounted on a pole in the driveway, while a Wallbox is mounted on the wall of your garage or facade. Both can be smart and offer the same functions.
Is an inspection of my charging station mandatory?
Yes, an AREI inspection is legally required for any expansion or upgrade of your electrical installation. The inspection must be carried out by a certified inspection body and costs an average of €100 to €200. The inspection certificate is valid for 25 years for domestic installations. Without an inspection, you risk fines and problems with your fire insurance.
Can I install a smart charging station myself?
No, the installation of a charging station must be carried out by a certified installer. This is not only safer, but also mandatory in order to qualify for the reduced VAT rate of 6%. In addition, an inspection by a certified body is mandatory after installation.
Written by Anneleen – mobility specialist at Electra
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