App main screen explainer for the Amber for EV automation

The main screen for Amber for EVs is accessible through the Devices tab  or through Settings in the Amber app. It provides a summary of current and forecast charging activity as well as being the launchpad for Manual Control, History and Live.

Let’s have a quick look at what this main page looks like before diving into the finer details below:

Top Toolbar

This provides high-level information and quick-links to other pages:

1. A quick summary of your vehicle’s state of charge and state - eg. whether it’s charging or unplugged
2. Manual Control: Initiate a near instant charging command (only useable when plugged in at home)
3. History: View your most recent charging history and breakdowns
4. Settings: Update and edit how you want your car to charge

Charging Forecast

Note: At time of writing, we show a fixed battery capacity. This only applies to the forecast, when your car reaches its maximum charge level (eg. 80%) it will stop charging.

We expected to make this be a true reflection of your car’s capacity soon.

The forecast details current and future charging intentions. This plan updates every 5 minutes.

Depending on your home-setup, current state of charge, price controls and where your car is - the current and forecast will update periodically. These rows are expandable - providing more context to the charging or resting period.

For example: In the morning, your car is plugged in and prices are above your configured thresholds. Solar is forecast to start soon. Your car’s charging will Rest, while it waits for the solar to start - this will be shown on the forecast.

If your car is not currently plugged in, it will show this as the Current item. The Forecast shows what would happen if you were to plug in.

When your car reaches it’s maximum charge limit set in your vehicle’s app, it will stop charging and show a Resting forecast until driven and the state of charge drops again.

Note: This screen is now only visible to Tesla customers, OCPP/Charger-only customers will default to the Live view.