Allego has announced a new solution, developed using technology from its partner Deftpower, to shift 70 per cent of energy consumption from evening peak charging times to periods of lower demand. To encourage drivers to participate, the company is offering a cashback reward. Emiel van Steenselen, Head of Network Development Netherlands at Allego, explained the concept: “With Smart Charging, we are introducing a positive incentive model that rewards drivers for the flexibility they provide. By focusing on overnight sessions, which are long by nature and start during the evening peak, we can shift demand to times of lower consumption without any impact on the charging experience, while ensuring charger availability during the day.”In practice, drivers with a connected vehicle can participate from 6 PM via the Allego app or other partner apps. They are given the choice between ‘charge immediately’ or ‘smart charging’. If the latter is selected, the charging process begins later, depending on grid capacity. Participants receive up to five per cent of their charging costs as cashback, which can be redeemed via bank transfer or as credit for future charging sessions.Jacob van Zonneveld, CEO of Deftpower, is convinced that the cashback reward will encourage both private customers and fleet drivers to adopt grid-conscious charging habits: “Allego’s decision to put driver incentives at the heart of this rollout sets a strong example that putting drivers first is exactly the kind of approach that will accelerate the transition to a smarter, more flexible grid.”According to Allego, the initiative combines lower overnight energy prices with improved utilisation of charging stations and coordinated load balancing in the power grid. By aligning these elements, the company addresses key challenges in public charging, enhances affordability and availability, and supports a more efficient energy system.“An effective public charging system starts with operating the infrastructure already in place more intelligently. “As the number of EVs on the street grows, improving utilisation of existing charging points is essential,” summarises Van Steenselen. Given the rising number of electric vehicles on the road, optimised utilisation of existing charging points is essential. “This is why we believe rewarding flexibility is a key step in ensuring our charging locations continue to serve drivers wherever and whenever they need to charge.”Following its launch in the Netherlands, Allego plans to expand smart charging to around 9,000 charging points in the country, extend the model to Belgium, and “further integrate incentive-based flexibility into the European network,” as stated.That Deftpower is acting as a partner for this new feature is no coincidence. Last September, Allego announced it had brought the startup on board to create a new Mobility Service Provider platform. The overnight smart charging feature is likely one of the first outcomes of this partnership. Deftpower is a Dutch provider of AI-powered charging solutions, which, as reported, secured €12.5 million in new funding in a financing round at the end of August 2025.allego.eu, deftpower.com
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