Thousands of UK electric vehicle owners were paid to charge their cars at home in a large-scale experiment that tested how household chargers can help balance the national grid. The initiative offered cash rewards and automated control of home chargers, producing data that industry experts say could reshape how Britain manages rising electricity demand.
What the Crowdflex experiment actually did
The trial, run by charging firm Ohme under the name Crowdflex, invited EV drivers to allow their home chargers to be adjusted based on grid needs. Participants kept charging access but agreed to automated timing changes.
- Timing: The programme ran between May 2024 and September 2025.
- Participation: At its peak around 20,000 drivers took part in each trial wave.
- How it worked: Ohme remotely turned chargers up or down during more than 400 flexibility events.
- Payments: Drivers received rewards totalling £750,000.
Scale and measurable impact on the grid
Organisers tracked how much demand could be shifted and reported significant results in flexible capacity. The biggest tests showed substantial power adjustment from domestic chargers.
- Largest single trial achieved nearly 150MW of flexible electricity.
- Hundreds of events gathered real-world data on consumer behaviour and automated charging systems.
- Analysts estimate widespread adoption could cut energy bills and network stress.
Potential savings and long-term forecasts
Ohme’s leadership highlighted the economic case for flexible home charging. They estimate that, on a national scale, smart domestic charging could save consumers and networks large sums.
Projected savings: More than £470 million a year in energy costs by 2036, if flexible charging is widely adopted.
What drivers experienced during the trials
Participants reported minimal disruption. The system prioritised vehicle readiness while shifting charge times to lower-demand windows.
- Automated scheduling adjusted plug-in behaviour without manual input.
- Drivers kept control and were rewarded for allowing flexibility.
- Payments and incentives helped demonstrate consumer willingness to participate.
Why regulators and experts say this matters
Industry voices and Ofgem officials framed the experiment as a building block for a modern, decentralised grid. The trial produced evidence on how homes can act as flexible resources.
Ofgem view: The scheme is described as a practical blueprint for domestic flexibility and a key step toward cleaner power systems.
Who backed the project and how it was funded
Crowdflex brought together private firms, network operators and public innovation funds to run the tests at scale.
- Technology and energy companies: Ohme, OVO, ERM, AWS
- Network partners: National Grid Electricity Distribution, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
- Research and policy: Centre for Net Zero
- Funding and oversight: Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund, with support from Innovate UK
Calls for clearer policy and better coordination
Despite positive outcomes, trial leaders urged stronger support from government and network operators. They said better coordination would increase rewards for drivers and the value of flexibility to the system.
- More coordinated incentives would amplify benefits for consumers.
- Policy frameworks could speed wider rollout of smart charging technology.
- Greater industry alignment is needed to monetise flexible capacity.
How this could change everyday EV charging
If rolled out more broadly, automated flexibility could turn millions of domestic chargers into a managed energy resource. That would alter peak demand patterns and reduce the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.
Everyday impact: Drivers could earn rewards, face fewer peak-price charges, and help cut national emissions.
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