Charging method and charging management device

Abstract

To provide a charging method that can more reliably reduce the electricity costs associated with charging batteries. [Solution] The system obtains the usage schedule of the electric vehicle 2, the current remaining charge of the battery 8 for the electric vehicle 2, and predicted values ​​of the electricity rates per unit price for each time period in the future, supplied by a designated power company. Subsequently, based on the obtained usage schedule, the system calculates the required remaining charge, which is the battery charge needed for the next ride of the electric vehicle 2, and calculates the difference (required charge amount) between the calculated required remaining charge and the obtained current battery charge. Subsequently, based on the obtained usage schedule, required charge amount, and predicted electricity rates, a time period is set for charging the battery 8 to the required charge amount. Subsequently, the system charges the battery using electricity supplied by the power company during the set time period so that the battery 8 reaches the required remaining charge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging method and a charging management device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a charging management device has been proposed that charges a driving battery mounted on an electric vehicle according to a charging schedule (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the charging management device described in Patent Document 1, information on a late-night rate band where the electricity rate per unit is low is stored, and the charging schedule is created by referring to the stored information so that the battery is charged during the late-night rate band. The late-night rate band is applied by selecting a time-band specific lighting plan in a contract with an electric power company.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the Japanese power market, due to the liberalization of electricity retail in 2016, the number of market-linked plans in which the electricity rate per unit varies according to the market price has been increasing. In a market-linked plan, the time band when the market price is low has a lower electricity rate per unit than the late-night rate band of the time-band specific lighting plan. Therefore, in the charging management device described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to use the power contract in a market-variable plan for charging the battery. However, since the time band when the electricity rate per unit of the power contract in the market-variable plan varies daily, it has been difficult to charge during the time band when the electricity rate per unit is low when applied to the charging management device described in Patent Document 1. Therefore, the electricity cost for charging the battery may increase. This disclosure aims to provide a charging method and a charging management device that can more reliably reduce the electricity costs associated with charging batteries. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A charging method in one aspect of this disclosure obtains the usage schedule of an electric vehicle, the current remaining charge of the electric vehicle's battery, and predicted values ​​of future hourly electricity rates supplied by a designated power company. Based on the obtained usage schedule, it calculates the required remaining charge, which is the battery charge needed for the next time the electric vehicle is driven. Based on the obtained usage schedule, it calculates the required charge amount, which is the difference between the calculated required charge amount and the obtained current battery charge amount. Based on the obtained usage schedule, required charge amount, and predicted electricity rates, it sets a time period for charging the battery to the required charge amount, and charges the battery using electricity supplied by the power company during the set time period so that the battery charge reaches the required charge amount.

[0006] Furthermore, a charging management device in one aspect of this disclosure acquires the usage schedule of an electric vehicle, the current remaining charge of the electric vehicle's battery, and predicted values ​​of future hourly electricity rates supplied by a predetermined power company. Based on the acquired usage schedule, it calculates the required remaining charge, which is the battery charge needed for the next time the electric vehicle is driven. Based on the acquired usage schedule, it calculates the required charge amount, which is the difference between the calculated required charge amount and the acquired current battery charge amount. Based on the acquired usage schedule, required charge amount, and predicted electricity rates, it sets a time period for charging the battery to the required charge amount and transmits a command to charge the battery using electricity supplied by the power company during the set time period so that the battery charge reaches the required charge amount. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a charging method and a charging management device that can more reliably reduce the electricity costs incurred for charging batteries. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the schematic configuration of the charging management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the various functions that the charging management device provides. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows the overall flow of the charging method according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the overall flow of the charging method according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the overall flow of the charging method for the modified version. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic and may differ from actual ones. Furthermore, the embodiments of this disclosure shown below are illustrative examples of devices and methods for realizing the technical concept of this disclosure, and the technical concept of this disclosure is not limited to the structure, arrangement, etc., of the components described below. The technical concept of this disclosure can be modified in various ways within the technical scope defined by the claims described in the patent claims.

[0010] (composition) Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the charging system 1 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, an example is shown in which the charging method and charging management device of this disclosure are applied to a charging system 1 that performs timer charging control to charge a traction battery 8 mounted on an electric vehicle 2 using electricity supplied from a predetermined power company according to a charging schedule. The charging system 1 comprises an electric vehicle 2, a charging station 3, a user terminal 4, a power company server 5, and a charging management device 6. The electric vehicle 2, user terminal 4, power company server 5, and charging management device 6 are able to communicate with each other via the internet or other means. The electric vehicle 2 is equipped with a charging port 7, a battery 8, a charging ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 9, and a vehicle information transmission unit 10. The charging port 7 is a port from which the plug (not shown) of the charging cable 11 of the charging station 3 can be inserted and removed. The plug is inserted into the charging port 7 by the user when the electric vehicle 2 is parked (end of use), and the plug is removed by the user when the electric vehicle 2 is put into use. Battery 8 is the battery for driving the electric vehicle 2. That is, battery 8 is the battery that drives the drive motor (not shown) for driving the electric vehicle 2. For battery 8, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery, a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery, or a capacitor can be used.

[0011] The charging ECU 9 is an ECU equipped with a processor (not shown) and peripheral components such as a memory device (not shown). The processor implements the function of controlling the charging of the battery 8 based on a computer program stored in the memory device. For example, when the plug of the charging cable 11 is inserted into the charging port 7, the processor charges the battery 8 using the power supplied from the charging station 3 via the charging cable 11. At that time, the timing of the start of charging of the battery 8 is controlled according to a command (a command according to the charging schedule) transmitted from the charging management device 6. This enables timer charging control according to the charging schedule. The vehicle information transmission unit 10 acquires information on the usage status of the electric vehicle 2 (e.g., driving, parking, charging) and its current location for each time period, and transmits the acquired information to the charging management device 6.

[0012] The charging station 3 is a charging facility installed in the parking space of the electric vehicle 2. The charging station 3 has a charging cable 11 and a plug, and supplies power to the charging cable 11 and plug from a designated power company with which the user has a contract (hereinafter also referred to as the "contracted power company"). In this embodiment, the case in which the contract plan is a market-linked plan is given as an example. User terminal 4 is a smartphone or tablet owned by the user. User terminal 4 accepts input of various information such as user power contract information, threshold information, and the usage schedule of electric vehicle 2. The input information is transmitted to the charging management device 6. As user power contract information, for example, information on the contracted power company and contract plan can be used. As threshold information, for example, the lower limit of the minimum charge rate (SOC: State Of Charge) that should be maintained (hereinafter also called the "SOC lower limit"), the upper limit (hereinafter also called the "electricity charge upper limit") and lower limit (hereinafter also called the "electricity charge lower limit") of the electricity cost for one charge of battery 8 can be used. As for the usage schedule of electric vehicle 2, for example, the time period when electric vehicle 2 is parked in the parking space where the charging station 3 is installed, the location and departure time of the starting point, and the location and arrival time of the destination point for each trip can be used.

[0013] The power company server 5 is a server that provides a website (hereinafter also called the "future power information display site") that presents information on the future hourly usage of electricity supplied by the contracted power company under a market-variable plan (hereinafter also called "future power information"). As a result, the charging management device 6 can obtain future power information by accessing the future power information display site. Examples of future power information display sites include the electricity forecast websites provided by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. and Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. Furthermore, future power information can include, for example, information indicating what percentage of the maximum power generation will be used.

[0014] The charging management device 6 is a server equipped with a processor 6a and peripheral components such as a storage device 6b for storing computer programs and the like. For example, the processor 6a can be a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). For example, the storage device 6b can be a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage device, or an optical storage device. The storage device 6b may also include registers, cache memory, ROM (Read Only Memory) used as main memory, and RAM. As shown in Figure 2, the charging management device 6 implements the functions of the information holding unit 12 and the information processing unit 13. Each function is implemented, for example, by the processor 6a executing a computer program stored in the storage device 6b. Figure 2 shows the functions implemented by the charging management device 6. The information storage unit 12 acquires information transmitted from the user terminal 4 (for example, user power contract information, threshold information, and usage schedule) and stores the acquired information in the storage device 6b. The information processing unit 13 generates a charging schedule for the electric vehicle 2 based on the information stored in the storage device 6b, and transmits commands to the electric vehicle 2 to control the charging of the battery 8 according to the generated charging schedule. Details of the operation of the information processing unit 13 will be described later.

[0015] (operation) Next, we will explain the process flow for charging the battery 8. Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the overall flow of the charging method in this embodiment. First, when setting up the charging system 1, the user terminal 4 displays a screen prompting the input of user power contract information (information on the contracted power company and the contracted plan), and accepts the input of power contract information from the user (S101 in FIG. 3). Then, when the user inputs the power contract information, the input power contract information is transmitted to the charging management device 6. Then, the information holding unit 12 of the charging management device 6 stores the user power contract information in the storage device 6b (S201 in FIG. 3). Subsequently, the user terminal 4 displays a screen prompting the input of threshold information (SOC lower limit value, electricity price upper limit value, electricity price upper limit value), and accepts the input of threshold information from the user (S102 in FIG. 3). Then, when the user inputs the threshold information, the input threshold information is transmitted to the charging management device 6. Then, the information holding unit 12 of the charging management device 6 stores the threshold information in the storage device 6b (S202 in FIG. 3). As a result, the power contract information and the threshold information are stored in the storage device 6b.

[0016] Furthermore, when the electric vehicle 2 is parked in a parking space and the user inserts the plug of the charging station 3 into the charging port 7 of the electric vehicle 2, the charging system 1 is activated. When the charging system 1 is activated, the user terminal 4 displays a screen prompting the user to input the usage schedule for the electric vehicle 2 and accepts the input of the usage schedule from the user (S301 in Figure 4). Once the user has entered the usage schedule, the entered usage schedule is transmitted to the charging management device 6. The information holding unit 12 of the charging management device 6 then stores the usage schedule in the storage device 6b (S401 in Figure 4). Next, the information processing unit 13 estimates the current remaining charge of the battery 8 (S402 in Figure 4). The remaining charge is estimated using, for example, the voltage and current of the battery 8. Subsequently, the information processing unit 13 calculates the remaining charge of the battery 8 required for the next ride of the electric vehicle 2 (hereinafter also referred to as the "required remaining charge") based on the usage schedule stored in the storage device 6b (S403 in Figure 4). For example, based on the usage schedule, the system predicts the movement status of the electric vehicle 2 (e.g., distance traveled, speed traveled, and time traveled) from the next charging timing to the following charging timing. Based on the predicted movement status, the system predicts the amount of power consumed by the electric vehicle 2 from the next charging timing to the following charging timing, and adds the lower limit of the State of Charge (SOC) stored in the memory device 6b to the predicted power to obtain the required remaining charge. Subsequently, the information processing unit 13 calculates the difference between the calculated required remaining charge and the estimated current battery charge (hereinafter also referred to as the "required charge amount") (S404 in Figure 4).

[0017] Subsequently, based on the user power contract information (information on the contracted power company and information on the contracted plan) stored in the storage device 6b, the information processing unit 13 accesses the future power information presentation site of the contracted power company and acquires future power information (S405, S601 in FIG. 4). For example, it is determined whether the contracted plan is a market fluctuation type plan. If it is determined that the plan is a market fluctuation type plan, the future power information presentation site is searched from the information of the contracted power company to access the future power information presentation site. Subsequently, based on the acquired future power information, the information processing unit 13 estimates (acquires) a predicted value of the electricity price per unit time in the future for the power supplied by the contracted power company (hereinafter, also referred to as "expected electricity price information") (S406 in FIG. 4). For example, the expected electricity price information is acquired by multiplying the percentage (%) indicated by the future power information by a fixed value. Subsequently, based on the acquired usage schedule, required charge amount, and expected electricity price information, the information processing unit 13 sets the time zone for charging the required charge amount to the battery 8 and generates a charging schedule indicating the time zone for charging (S407 in FIG. 4). For example, from the usage schedule, the time zone when the electric vehicle 2 is parked in the parking space where the charging stand 3 is installed is extracted, and from the extracted time zones, the time zone with a relatively low electricity price per unit is extracted by the time width sufficient to charge the required charge amount to the battery 8. As the time zone for charging the required charge amount, for example, a time zone consisting of a single continuous time width or a time zone consisting of a plurality of discontinuous time widths can be adopted.

[0018] Next, the information processing unit 13 calculates the electricity cost incurred when the battery 8 is charged to the required level during the set time period, based on the predicted electricity cost information (S408 in Figure 4). If it is determined that the calculated electricity cost is greater than the upper limit of electricity costs stored in the storage device 6b, it sends a command to the user terminal 4 to display a screen (hereinafter also referred to as the "selection screen") that allows the user to choose whether to prioritize (A) charging the battery 8 to the required level or (B) keeping the electricity cost below the upper limit of electricity costs. The user terminal 4 then displays the selection screen, and when the user makes a selection to the user terminal 4, it sends the selection result to the charging management device 6 (S302 in Figure 4). The information processing unit 13 of the charging management device 6 then sends a command to the electric vehicle 2 to charge the battery 8 according to the transmitted selection result (S409 in Figure 4). As a result, the charging ECU 9 of the electric vehicle 2 charges the battery 8 using the power supplied from the charging station 3 via the charging cable 11 and plug, according to the selection result (S501 in Figure 4). For example, if (A) above is selected, a command is sent to the electric vehicle 2 to charge the battery 8 during the time period set in S407. On the other hand, if (B) above is selected, a time window in which the electricity charge reaches the upper limit of the electricity charge so as to maximize the charge amount is extracted from the time window set in S407, and a command is sent to the electric vehicle 2 to charge the battery 8 during the extracted time window.

[0019] On the other hand, if the information processing unit 13 determines that the electricity charge calculated in S407 is less than or equal to the upper limit of the electricity charge stored in the storage device 6b, it sends a command to the electric vehicle 2 to charge the battery 8 during the time period set in S407. As a result, the charging ECU 9 of the electric vehicle 2 charges the battery 8 using the power supplied from the charging station 3 via the charging cable 11 and plug during the time period set in S407. In other words, the charging ECU 9 sends a command to charge the battery 8 using the power supplied by the contracted power company during the time period set in S407 (a time period with a low electricity rate) so that the battery 8 reaches the required level. If the electricity charge calculated in S407 is less than or equal to the lower limit of the electricity charge stored in the storage device 6b, it sends a command to the electric vehicle 2 to charge at least the amount of the lower limit of the electricity charge.

[0020] (Effects of this embodiment) (a) In this embodiment, the usage schedule of the electric vehicle 2, the current remaining charge of the battery 8 for driving the electric vehicle 2, and the predicted electricity rates per unit price for each time of day in the future, supplied by a predetermined power company, are obtained. Subsequently, based on the obtained usage schedule, the required remaining charge, which is the remaining charge of the battery needed for the next ride of the electric vehicle 2, is calculated, and the difference between the calculated required remaining charge and the obtained current battery charge (required charge amount) is calculated. Subsequently, based on the obtained usage schedule, required charge amount, and predicted electricity rates (predicted electricity rate information), a time period is set for charging the battery 8 to the required charge amount. Subsequently, the battery is charged using electricity supplied by the power company during the set time period so that the remaining charge of the battery 8 reaches the required charge amount. As a result, by using the usage schedule of the electric vehicle 2 and the predicted future electricity rates, the required charge amount needed for the next ride of the electric vehicle 2 can be charged during a time period with lower rates. Therefore, the electricity cost for charging the battery 8 can be reduced more reliably. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the battery 8 is charged only to the required amount, the degradation of the battery 8 can be suppressed compared to, for example, a type that fully charges the battery 8 to 100% remaining capacity.

[0021] (b) In this embodiment, the user provides the upper limit of the electricity cost for a single charge of the battery 8 (electricity cost limit). The system also calculates the electricity cost for charging the battery 8 to the required level during a set time period. If the calculated electricity cost is determined to be greater than the upper limit, the user is given the option to choose whether to prioritize charging the battery to the required level or keeping the electricity cost below the upper limit. The system then charges the battery 8 according to the user's selection. This allows the system to charge the battery 8 in a way that reflects the user's preferences (prioritizing charging or prioritizing cost).

[0022] (modified version) (1) In this embodiment, when it is determined that the electricity cost for charging the battery 8 is greater than the upper limit of the electricity cost, an example is shown in which of the above (A) and (B) is to be prioritized (prioritizing charging, prioritizing cost), but other configurations can also be adopted. For example, as shown in Figure 5, a configuration may be used that suggests the use of public transportation or the use of a different power company. Figure 5 illustrates the case in which S701 and S702 are provided instead of S408 in Figure 4. In S701 of Figure 5, the information processing unit 13 sets an upper limit on the electricity charges for charging the battery 8 (hereinafter also referred to as the "second electricity charge limit"). The second electricity charge limit can be, for example, the fare incurred when using public transportation to travel to each location scheduled after the next battery 8 charge, the electricity charge incurred when charging the battery 8 to the required level using electricity from a contract plan where the electricity rate per unit is always constant, the maximum electricity charge incurred for a single battery 8 charge in the past, the average electricity charge incurred for a single battery 8 charge in the same month of the previous year, or a value set by the user. As a method for obtaining information on public transportation fares, for example, the system can refer to the usage schedule to extract stops (multiple destinations) between the next charging timing and the charging timing after that, and obtain information on public transportation fares for travel between the extracted stops from a website that provides a transfer guidance service. Furthermore, as a method for obtaining electricity charges when using a constant electricity rate, for example, the system can multiply the required charge amount by a predetermined electricity rate per unit. Public transportation options include, for example, trains, buses, and airplanes.

[0023] Furthermore, in S702, the information processing unit 13 calculates the electricity cost incurred when the battery 8 is charged to the required level during the time period set in S407 in Figure 5. If it is determined that the calculated electricity cost is greater than the second electricity cost upper limit stored in the storage device 6b, it presents the user with a proposal that includes either (C) using public transportation or (D) using electricity from a different contract plan than the current contract plan for charging the battery 8. At that time, it also obtains the probability of precipitation for the next time the electric vehicle 2 is driven from a website providing weather forecast services, etc., and if it is determined that the obtained probability of precipitation is above a predetermined value, it also presents the user with a proposal recommending that (E) the battery 8 be charged.

[0024] For example, a command is sent to the user terminal 4 to display a screen (hereinafter also referred to as the "proposal screen") that proposes (C), (D), and (E) above to the user and allows the user to select whether or not to charge the battery 8. The user terminal 4 then displays the proposal screen, and when the user selects whether or not to charge the battery 8, the operation result (selection result) is sent to the charging management device 6 (S302' in Figure 5). The information processing unit 13 of the charging management device 6 then sends a command to the electric vehicle 2 to control the charging of the battery 8 according to the transmitted selection result (S409' in Figure 5). As a result, the charging ECU 9 of the electric vehicle 2 controls the charging of the battery 8 according to the selection result (S501' in Figure 5). The battery 8 is charged using power supplied from the charging station 3 via the charging cable 11 and plug. For example, if the user selects to charge the battery 8, a command is sent to the electric vehicle 2 to charge the battery 8 during the time period set in S407. On the other hand, if the user decides to use public transportation and chooses not to charge battery 8, a command is sent to electric vehicle 2 not to charge battery 8 during the above time period.

[0025] On the other hand, if the information processing unit 13 determines that the electricity charge calculated in S407 is less than or equal to the second upper limit of electricity charges stored in the storage device 6b, it sends a command to the electric vehicle 2 to charge the battery 8 during the time period set in S407. As a result, the charging ECU 9 of the electric vehicle 2 sends a command to charge the battery 8 using the power supplied from the charging station 3 via the charging cable 11 and plug during the time period set in S407. If the electricity charge calculated in S407 is less than or equal to the lower limit of electricity charges stored in the storage device 6b, it sends a command to the electric vehicle 2 to charge up to the amount of the lower limit of electricity charges.

[0026] (Effects of this modification) (a) In this modified version, an upper limit on the electricity charges for charging the battery 8 (second electricity charge limit) is set. The electricity charges incurred when charging the battery 8 to the required level during the set time period are calculated, and if it is determined that the calculated electricity charges are greater than the upper limit, the user is presented with a proposal that includes either using public transportation or using electricity from a different contract plan than the current contract plan for charging the battery 8. This encourages the user to use public transportation or electricity from another contract plan. Therefore, the electricity charges for charging the battery 8 can be reduced more reliably.

[0027] (b) In this modified example, the upper limit (second electricity charge upper limit) is the fare incurred when using public transportation to travel to each location scheduled after the next battery 8 charge, the electricity charge incurred when charging battery 8 to the required level using electricity from a contract plan where the electricity rate per unit is always constant, the maximum amount of electricity charges incurred for a single battery 8 charge in the past, the average amount of electricity charges incurred for a single battery 8 charge in the same month of the previous year, or a value set by the user. This allows the upper limit (second electricity charge upper limit) to be set more appropriately.

[0028] (c) In this modified version, if it is determined that the electricity bill is greater than the upper limit, the probability of precipitation at the next time the electric vehicle 2 is driven is obtained, and if it is determined that the obtained probability of precipitation is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the user is presented with a suggestion to charge the battery 8. This makes it possible to recommend charging the battery 8, for example, when it is raining and it is difficult to use public transportation (when it is difficult to get to a train station, which is a form of public transportation).

[0029] (2) In this embodiment, an example was shown in which the user inputs the usage schedule, but other configurations can also be adopted. For example, the information processing unit 13 of the charging management device 6 may analyze the time-based usage information and current location information of the electric vehicle 2 transmitted from the vehicle information transmission unit 10, find the times when the user is using the electric vehicle 2, automatically create a usage schedule, and store the created usage schedule in the storage device 6b. (3) In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the charging management device 6 is a server, but other configurations can also be adopted. For example, the charging management device 6 may be mounted on the electric vehicle 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] 1...Charging system, 2...Electric vehicle, 3...Charging station, 4...User terminal, 5...Power company server, 6...Charging management device, 6a...Processor, 6b...Storage device, 7...Charging port, 8...Battery, 9...Charging ECU, 10...Vehicle information transmission unit, 11...Charging cable, 12...Information storage unit, 13...Information processing unit

Claims

1. The system obtains the usage schedule of the electric vehicle, the current remaining charge of the electric vehicle's battery, and the predicted hourly electricity rates for the electricity supplied by a designated power company. Based on the acquired usage schedule, the required remaining battery charge, which is the amount of battery charge needed for the next ride of the electric vehicle, is calculated, and the required charge amount, which is the difference between the calculated required remaining charge and the acquired current battery charge, is calculated. Based on the acquired usage schedule, the required charge amount, and the predicted electricity rate per unit, a time period is set for charging the battery to the required charge amount. The battery is charged using the power supplied by the power company during a set time period so that the battery level reaches the required level. Charging method.

2. The user provides the upper limit of the electricity cost for a single charge of the battery. The system calculates the electricity cost incurred when the battery is charged to the required level during the set time period. If the calculated electricity cost is determined to be greater than the upper limit, the user is given a choice to prioritize either charging the battery to the required level or keeping the electricity cost below the upper limit, and the battery is charged according to the user's choice. The charging method according to claim 1.

3. Set an upper limit on the electricity charges for charging the aforementioned battery, The system calculates the electricity cost incurred when the battery is charged to the required level during the set time period. If the calculated electricity cost is determined to be greater than the upper limit, the system presents the user with a proposal that includes either using public transportation or using electricity from a different contract plan than the current one for charging the battery. The charging method according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned upper limit is the fare incurred when using public transportation to travel to each location scheduled after the next battery charge, the electricity cost incurred when charging the battery to the required remaining capacity using electricity from a contract plan where the electricity rate per unit is always constant, the maximum amount of electricity cost incurred for a single battery charge in the past, the average amount of electricity cost incurred for a single battery charge in the same month of the previous year, or a setting value set by the user. The charging method according to claim 3.

5. If the aforementioned electricity charges are determined to be greater than the aforementioned upper limit, the probability of precipitation at the time of the next ride of the electric vehicle is obtained, and if the obtained probability of precipitation is determined to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value, a suggestion is presented to the user recommending that the battery be charged. The charging method according to claim 3.

6. The system obtains the usage schedule of an electric vehicle, the current remaining charge of the electric vehicle's battery, and predicted future hourly electricity rates supplied by a designated power company. Based on the obtained usage schedule, it calculates the required remaining charge, which is the battery charge needed for the next use of the electric vehicle. Based on the obtained usage schedule, it calculates the required charge amount, which is the difference between the calculated required charge amount and the obtained current battery charge amount. Based on the obtained usage schedule, the required charge amount, and the predicted electricity rates, it sets a time period for charging the battery to the required charge amount and transmits a command to charge the battery using the electricity supplied by the power company during the set time period so that the battery charge reaches the required charge amount. Charging management device.

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