evcc
Self-HostedOpen-source smart EV charging controller for self-hosted renewable energy optimization
Overview
evcc is an open-source, self-hosted EV charging controller designed to optimize electric vehicle charging using renewable energy and smart grid data. It integrates with a wide range of EV chargers (via OCPP, Modbus), solar inverters, and smart meters to prioritize charging with excess solar power, reduce grid costs, or balance home energy loads. Deployable via Docker, binary packages, or Raspberry Pi images, it offers a user-friendly web UI and mobile app for remote monitoring. Supports home automation tools like Home Assistant and MQTT for seamless integration into smart home setups.
Self-Hosting Resources
Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml.
⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.
version: '3'
services:
evcc:
image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
container_name: evcc
ports:
- "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
volumes:
- ./data:/app/data
restart: unless-stopped Key Features
- Solar-powered charging optimization (use excess solar to charge EV)
- Multi-protocol support (OCPP, Modbus, MQTT)
- Home automation integration (Home Assistant, smart meters)
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is evcc hard to install?
evcc offers simple deployment options like Docker (one-line command) or pre-built Raspberry Pi images for beginners. Advanced integrations (solar, smart meters) may require basic knowledge of protocols like Modbus or OCPP, but community documentation and forums provide step-by-step guides to help.
? Is it a good alternative to proprietary EV charging controllers?
Absolutely—evcc provides full control over your charging setup without recurring fees, unlike most proprietary options. It excels at solar integration (a paid feature in many proprietary tools) and supports more third-party devices, making it ideal for custom smart home setups.
? Is it completely free?
Yes! evcc is open-source software licensed under MIT, so it’s 100% free to use. You only pay for your hardware (charger, solar system, etc.) and any minimal server resources (e.g., a Raspberry Pi) to host it.
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Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Self-hosted (full privacy control)
- ⊕ No subscription or hidden fees
- ⊕ Maximizes use of renewable energy to cut charging costs
Cons
- ⊖ Requires technical setup for advanced integrations (solar, meters)
- ⊖ Limited support for some niche EV chargers
- ⊖ Basic server maintenance needed for updates