Hive EV chargers stay connected 24/7 with Pelion's reliable multi-network support

How Hive Delivers Smarter EV Charging with Pelion

Hive has long been an innovator in residential technology, supporting over two million smart thermostat users in the UK. With a mission to help British homes become more energy-efficient and affordable to run, it has extended that innovation to electric vehicle (EV) charging, quickly becoming a leader in smart residential EV charging technology.

Reliable connectivity at the core

Since 2018, Hive has relied on Pelion to supply multi-network, managed IoT connectivity services, an essential part of enabling secure and consistent EV charger communication. This connectivity powers every stage of Hive’s smart EV charging solution, ensuring that devices can always interact with the Hive app, energy providers, and the wider Centrica group, including British Gas.

Today, over 30,000 Pelion SIM cards are already in use across Hive's UK network, embedded within EV chargers like the Alfen Eve Single S-Line and the Hive EO Mini Pro 3, one of the most compact residential chargers available.

Stacey Daws, Operations Manager at British Gas Hive, has played a central role in integrating Pelion connectivity into the Hive EV ecosystem. Her work spans SIM ordering and activation, directing them into manufacturing, and managing coordination with Pelion and Hive’s Warranty team.

“Pelion and the process of SIM ordering and activation are really efficient,” says Stacey. “The process isn’t over-complicated, and it is backed up by a knowledgeable and supportive team. Above all, Pelion gives us reliable connectivity, which is critical for our Hive EV business to grow.”

Seamless charging for smarter homes

Modern EV owners want more than a charger – they want smart, reliable tools that help them save energy, cut costs, and stay in control. Hive delivers this with an award-winning app that integrates with its chargers to schedule optimal charging times, maximize off-peak electricity usage, and ensure vehicles are ready to go when needed.

The Hive app lets customers control their EV charger remotely. If the car is plugged in, they can set a target time, such as “charged by 8 a.m.”, and Hive handles the rest. The system intelligently schedules charging for off-peak periods when energy is cheaper and greener.

British Gas customers also benefit from two unique charging programs: SmartCharge and FreeCharge. Both reward users for charging when the electricity grid is under low demand. SmartCharge credits are applied directly to energy bills, and FreeCharge offers 12 months of completely free charging – up to 8,000 miles – for new users with a Hive charger, British Gas electricity tariff, and smart meter.

Connectivity that just works

Pelion’s multi-network IoT SIMs give Hive’s EV chargers always-on connectivity, even in areas with weak or unreliable mobile signals. This connectivity is critical for features like SmartCharge and FreeCharge to function accurately, ensuring that charge data is transmitted in real time for proper billing management and savings tracking.

Though the chargers can still function when offline, being connected ensures the device can pass charging session data to Hive without delay. Without reliable connectivity, customers could miss out on savings and the seamless app-based experience that Hive promises.

Even as future updates may include Wi-Fi capability, Pelion’s connectivity will remain a vital backup and fail-safe to guarantee uninterrupted service.

Built for scale and simplicity

Hive’s operations are designed to scale, and so is its connectivity infrastructure, thanks to Pelion’s automated systems. Stacey uses the Pelion Portal to order SIMs in bulk and send them directly to the EV charger manufacturers. This way, chargers arrive at homes with a Pelion SIM pre-installed and ready to activate.

“Once you know how to use the portal, it’s simple,” says Stacey. “I can activate more than 1,000 SIMs at once if I need to. The system saves time and allows me to focus on improving customer experience.”

Each SIM comes pre-loaded with a small data allowance for pre-installation needs, activating fully once the charger is connected at the customer’s home. This system minimizes installer involvement and simplifies the setup process.

British Gas engineers benefit from this approach. “They don’t have to mess around,” says Stacey. “They install the charger, pair it to the Hive app, and they’re ready to go.”

Rapid market growth and long-term vision

The UK’s home EV charging market is expanding quickly, with over 1.1 million electric vehicles and more than 600,000 plug-in hybrids now on the roads. Government mandates are also accelerating growth: since mid-2022, all new-build homes with associated parking must be equipped with EV chargers.

Hive is well-positioned to meet this demand, not just through direct sales, but also via partnerships with housing developers, car manufacturers, and leasing companies. Its targets for 2024 are ambitious, but well within reach thanks to streamlined operations and strong partnerships.

As the business scales, so does the support behind it. Stacey notes that Pelion’s technical team is always responsive and quick to resolve any issues. From account management to troubleshooting support, Pelion helps ensure the EV customer journey remains seamless from start to finish.

“I stay on top of which SIMs are activated by color-coding my data,” she explains. “If an issue comes up, I can track down a SIM’s activation status or raise a support ticket through the Pelion portal. The team is fast, efficient, and understands how important it is to resolve customer issues quickly.”

A partnership that drives innovation

Pelion’s CEO, Dave Weidner, emphasizes the strength of the collaboration:

“We are thrilled to see the positive impact our partnership with Hive from British Gas has had in the residential EV charging space. By providing secure, ultra-resilient connectivity through our multi-network global SIM service, we empower Hive to offer their customers 24/7 control over their EV charging, optimal charging periods, and access to the best power tariffs. Their dedication to intelligent and sustainable energy aligns perfectly with Pelion’s commitment to sustainability.”

Hive’s FreeCharge and SmartCharge programs, seamless app experience, and rapid deployment model are all made possible by reliable IoT connectivity. As the market continues to grow, Hive and Pelion’s partnership ensures British homeowners are well-equipped for the future of clean, smart energy.