The single most valuable smart feature for most EV owners. Most US utilities offer time-of-use electricity pricing, where off-peak rates — typically between 11 PM and 7 AM — are 40 to 60 percent lower than peak daytime rates. A smart charger with scheduling lets you plug in at any time and automatically delay the session until the cheapest window begins. Over a year of daily charging, this saves $200 to $500 depending on your utility, rate plan, and how much you drive. A charger without scheduling leaves that savings on the table every single day. The ShockFlo G1 and ShockFlo S1 both include full app-based scheduling with day-of-week customization and manual delay timers for use without the app.

A fixed-output charger draws the same current during every session, regardless of what else is running in your home. An adjustable charger lets you dial down the output — from 40A to 24A, for example — when your home is simultaneously running an air conditioner, dryer, or electric oven, preventing nuisance circuit breaker trips. All three ShockFlo models support adjustable output across multiple current settings, controllable from the charger itself or through the app. This feature also extends the charger’s usability across different electrical environments: reduce to 16A or 24A at an RV park with a lower-capacity circuit, and restore full output at home.

Session monitoring shows current draw in amps, total energy consumed in kilowatt-hours, charging duration, and estimated cost. For new EV owners, this data builds an accurate picture of charging behavior and makes it easy to catch anomalies — an unexpectedly short session, a lower-than-expected charge rate, or a failed session that did not complete as scheduled. The ShockFlo G1 displays current, voltage, temperature, and time on its built-in LCD — accessible without the app. The ShockFlo application adds cumulative usage history and per-session cost tracking on top of that. Both the Gmini and G1 include this capability at no additional subscription cost.

RFID access control requires an authorized card to be tapped against a reader before the charger activates. Without a valid card, the charger remains locked. This is genuinely valuable in shared spaces — condo parking structures, workplace lots, and shared garages where unauthorized use is a realistic concern. For homeowners with private garages, it is a security measure rather than a necessity. The ShockFlo G1 includes RFID access as a standard feature — notable because it is uncommon at this price range. Each unit ships with two cards; additional cards can be programmed through the app.

Bluetooth-only chargers work well for local control when you are within range of the device. Wi-Fi connectivity extends that control indefinitely: you can check charging status, adjust settings, and receive notifications from anywhere with a cellular signal. For most home configurations where the owner is typically nearby, Bluetooth is sufficient for daily use. Wi-Fi earns its value for owners who want to confirm a charging session started while traveling, or who want push notifications when charging completes without needing to be in Bluetooth range. The ShockFlo G1 and S1 support both protocols simultaneously — local Bluetooth for quick in-garage adjustments and Wi-Fi for remote access when needed.

Remote session control — starting or pausing a charge from your phone — addresses scenarios where you forgot to plug in before leaving, want to stop a session early, or need to delay charging beyond the scheduled window. In practice, most EV owners develop a consistent plug-in routine and rarely need remote start. It handles edge cases well, but it is not a feature most people use frequently. As a capability included at no additional cost in the ShockFlo app, it carries no downside — but it should not be the primary reason to choose one charger over another.

Cumulative usage tracking logs total energy consumed, cost per session, and trends over weeks and months. This data is useful for households that want to track EV charging as a line item in their electricity budget, optimize scheduling further based on actual usage patterns, or monitor for any decline in charging efficiency over time. The ShockFlo app provides this functionality at no subscription cost — it is included with the charger.