How does Ready-By work?

What is Ready-By?

Ready-By is an EV charging feature that lets you set a target time and state of charge for your EV. Amber then creates a smart charging plan that uses the cheapest 5 minute price windows between now and your deadline, updating every 5 minutes as the price forecast changes.

It's designed for moments when you need your EV charged by a specific time, like making sure you have enough charge for your morning commute or ahead of a road trip. Plans can be set up to 24 hours in advance, and you can set them to repeat daily if you have a consistent routine.

How to set up a Ready-By plan

1. Tap Set a Ready-By Plan from your EV home screen.
2. Use the slider to set your target charge level.
3. Set the time you need your car ready, and select today or tomorrow.
4. Optionally, toggle Repeat daily if you want the plan to run on a schedule.
5. Review the estimated cost, then tap Activate.

Once active, you'll see your plan displayed on the EV home screen. To cancel it, tap the trash icon on the plan card.

Cost expectations

Ready-By picks the cheapest available windows between now and your deadline, but those windows might still feel relatively expensive depending on grid prices. The estimated cost shown before you activate gives you a sense of what to expect.

Ready-By is best used when hitting your charge target matters more than minimising cost.

What Ready-By does and doesn't do

Ready-By works alongside your existing charging rules: price rules, excess solar, and demand window settings are all respected. Maximum charging amp settings are also honoured. If prices spike above $3/kWh, Amber will stop charging in those intervals, which may mean your target isn't fully met.

If you unplug mid-plan, Ready-By will update when you plug back in. Keep in mind it will always try to hit your goal by your deadline, even if that means using more expensive windows.

When your session ends, you'll get an in-app notification saying whether your car reached its target on time or not.

What if I have a 30-minute meter?

Ready-By still plans using 5-minute wholesale prices, but your billing will be based on 30-minute settlement prices as usual.