Smart charging - Amps AI Documentation

Push an auto.* command and the charger picks the hours itself, using the tariff set in the manufacturer’s app or what the solar array is producing. Use a windowed charge instead when you want to own the timing.

Command	The charger optimises for
`auto.charge_tariff`	Price. Charges in the cheapest hours of the home’s configured tariff.
`auto.charge_surplus_only`	Zero import. Charges from spare solar and pauses when it runs out, so the car may not fill.
`auto.charge_surplus_first`	A full car. Uses spare solar first, then tops up from the grid.

1. Check the device supports it

curl https://api.amps.ai/ev-charger/device_abc123 \
  -H "x-api-key: $AMPS_API_KEY"

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "id": "device_abc123",
    "commands": {
      "auto.charge_tariff": { "parameters": {}, "execution": ["immediate", "scheduled"] },
      "auto.charge_surplus_first": { "parameters": {}, "execution": ["immediate", "scheduled"] }
    }
  }
}

A mode missing from commands returns 422 DEVICE_NOT_CAPABLE. Modes take no parameters and no end: they run until another command replaces them, and either one also returns 422 DEVICE_NOT_CAPABLE.

2. Send the command

curl -X POST https://api.amps.ai/ev-charger/device_abc123 \
  -H "x-api-key: $AMPS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "action": { "command": "auto.charge_tariff" } }'

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "id": "action_esFwvosZG6",
    "command": "auto.charge_tariff",
    "parameters": null,
    "state": "acknowledged"
  }
}

Add a start to switch modes later, such as "start": "2026-07-30T18:00:00" in plant-local time. To leave the mode, push idle, charge, or another auto.*. See Conflicts if you get a 409.

3. Confirm

The mode is armed, and nothing may flow for hours. Read the device to see which mode holds it:

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "id": "device_abc123",
    "state": {
      "status": "scheduled",
      "isConnected": true,
      "isCharging": false,
      "notChargingReason": "schedule",
      "activeControlMode": "auto.charge_tariff"
    }
  }
}

The charger is waiting for a cheap hour, so show “waiting for off-peak”, not “not charging”. activeControlMode is absent on chargers that don’t report it. See Why isn’t it charging? for the other reasons.

Next steps

Start and stop a session

Charge inside a window you choose.

Why isn't it charging?

Read the reason a plugged-in car takes no power.