> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.axle.energy/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> Find the right EV charging flexibility solution for you

Axle offers two EV charging solutions which enable you and your users to earn money from grid flexibility. Both solutions work by adjusting charging schedules to support the grid.

## Controlling via car or charger

Axle can control EV charging through either a **smart charger** or the **vehicle itself**.

|                | **Via charger**                          | **Via car**                                                                                              |
| -------------- | ---------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Connection** | Direct to charger API or OCPP            | Via car manufacturer API                                                                                 |
| **Geofencing** | Not required — charger is always at home | Required — Axle only controls charging when the car is at home (boolean signal, no location data needed) |
| **Best for**   | Charger OEMs, white-label apps           | Car OEMs, white-label apps                                                                               |

When controlling via car, Axle uses a **"car is home" signal from the car manufacturer** before issuing any charging instructions — no location or GPS data is required, just a boolean indicating the vehicle is at home. In practice, this commonly means the manufacturer API only forwards plug-in events to Axle when the car is at home. This ensures Axle never issues charging instructions while the vehicle is at a public or workplace charger.

## Choosing a product

<Note>
  **A note on terminology:** Throughout these docs, we use **product** to refer to the integration choice you make as a client (Flex Lite or Smart Charging), and **proposition** to refer to what your end users sign up for — a proposition combines the product with configuration such as reward amounts.
</Note>

|                        | **[Smart Charging](/workflows/smart-charging/overview)**         | **[Flex Lite](/workflows/flex-lite/overview)**            |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| **How it works**       | Axle creates full charge plans optimised for flexibility revenue | Axle inserts pauses into your existing charging schedules |
| **Integration effort** | Medium — requires intent collection and OCPP schedule handling   | Low — just 3 API endpoints                                |
| **UX changes**         | Charging UX built around Axle schedules                          | Minimal — simply capture customer consent                 |
| **Revenue potential**  | Higher — full schedule optimisation                              | Moderate — limited pause-based flexibility                |
| **Best for**           | Platforms building charging UX around Axle                       | Platforms with existing scheduling which want to add flex |

## Next steps

Both products share the same starting point to assess eligibility and collect consent:

<Card title="Eligibility & Consent" icon="check-circle" href="/workflows/ev-charging/eligibility-and-consent">
  Gather the information needed to check eligibility and then get consent
</Card>