Set rules that lower the default charge limit on DC charge points while a location is busy, so fast charge points turn over faster.
For: Operators with DC charge points in Monta Hub
This feature is in early access and is rolling out to all operators together with the default charge limit.
At a busy fast-charging location, the last few percent of a charge take the longest. Above about 80% battery, most cars charge much more slowly, so a nearly full car can block a DC charge point while other drivers wait. A busy-location charge limit lowers the default charge limit on your DC charge points only while the location is busy, so charge points free up faster. When the location is quiet, drivers charge to their own limit as usual.
When should I use it?
- Public fast-charging locations that regularly have queues, for example on highways or at retail hubs.
- Locations where drivers often leave cars plugged in until they are almost full.
It is less useful at locations that are rarely full, and at locations with only one DC charge point.
How does it work?
You add rules to a location. Each rule says: while the location is at least X% busy, the default charge limit is Y%.
| While the location is at least … busy | … the default charge limit is |
|---|---|
| 75% | 90% |
| 90% | 80% |
- How busy is measured: the share of the last hour that the location's DC charge points were in use, out of the time they were in service. For example, if 4 DC charge points were each in use for 45 of the last 60 minutes, the location is 75% busy.
- Which rule applies: the busiest rule the location meets. A busier rule must set a lower limit.
- When it switches off: when the location is no longer busy enough for any rule, the default charge limit is removed again.
- Minimum size: a location needs at least two DC charge points in service before any rule applies, so one car can't make a location look full.
- DC only: AC charge points are never affected.
- Limits: busy threshold 50–100%, charge limit 70–95%, up to 10 rules per location.
What do drivers experience?
- A charge that starts while a rule applies gets the lower default charge limit and stops when the car reaches it.
- Charges that are already running keep their limit.
- Drivers who set their own charge limit in the app, or start with a kWh limit, keep their own limit.
- Drivers using another app or card (roaming) get the location's default limit.
- The charge point needs to report the car's battery level. DC charge points normally do.
How do I set it up?
- In Monta Hub, open the location.
- Go to Settings → Configuration → Busy-location charge limit.
- Add your rules, or select Use recommended rules to start with 75% → 90% and 90% → 80%.
- Select Save.
If any DC charge point at the location already has its own default charge limit, Hub asks you to clear it first. Select Clear all and save to remove those defaults and save the rules.
Which rules should I start with?
| Location | Suggested rules |
|---|---|
| Busy public fast-charging hub | 75% busy → 90%, 90% busy → 80% |
| Occasionally busy location | 90% busy → 85% |
| Location where long trips are common (drivers need range) | 90% busy → 90% |
Start with the recommended rules, then use the occupancy history to adjust.
How do I see what happened?
Select Occupancy history in the editor to see every measurement for the location: when it was measured, how busy it was, and which charge limit applied. You can view the last 24 hours or the last 7 days. Select Measure now to take a new measurement.
On a DC charge point, Settings → Configuration → Default charge limit is locked while the location's rules are in use and shows the current value, for example "Currently 80% because this location is busy".
How do I turn it off?
Remove all rules from the location and save. This also removes the default charge limits the rules set, and you can set a default charge limit on each charge point by hand again.
FAQ
Why isn't the limit applied even though the location looks busy?
Busy is an average over the last hour, so a short rush doesn't count straight away. The location also needs at least two DC charge points in service.
Why can't I change the default charge limit on a charge point?
While the location has busy rules, the rules control the default charge limit on its DC charge points. Change the rules on the location, or remove them.
Does it stop charges that are already running?
No. Only charges that start while a rule applies get the lower limit.
Can a driver charge to 100% anyway?
Yes, if they set their own charge limit in the app before starting.
Does it affect AC charge points or private locations?
AC charge points are never affected. Rules apply to the DC charge points at the location you set them on, public or private, so think twice before using them at a fleet depot.
Good to know
- A connector stuck in a busy state counts as busy.
- Drivers are not yet told in the app that a charge ended at the busy-location limit. Consider adding signage at busy locations, for example "When busy, charging stops at 80%".
Related: How do I set a default charge limit for a charge point?