The majority of electric vehicles possess a charging indicator light that becomes illuminated when the vehicle is charging. This indicator is only useful at the moment of plugging in the vehicle, when observing it from outside, or as one departs from their residence. A remote charging indicator could bring that information into the home. The indicator could receive a signal from one of three sources. The first source could be a universal bolt-on sensor attached to the charger, vehicle (OBD-II link), or house plug/circuitry; it could detect current, voltage, or the location of the charger plug using a non-contact sensor. The second source could be integrated into the charger itself; this indicator could be available from the charger manufacturer or sold with the charger (either level 1 or level 2). The third source could be embedded within the vehicle itself; the indicator could be made available by the vehicle manufacturer or sold with the vehicle.

Individuals frequently glance at their cell phones to ensure they are plugged in, and this same logic should apply to electric vehicles charging in driveways or garages. This remote charging indicator could show a red light if the vehicle is not plugged in and a green light if it is plugged in. While smart level 2 chargers and certain vehicles already possess similar functionalities, none offer the convenience of this proposed option. Users can continue their daily routines and be informed of the charging status of their electric vehicle simply by walking past the indicator, which could be placed in the kitchen, living room, bedroom nightstand, or other common areas.

One might argue that their car has an application that indicates whether the vehicle is charging, or perhaps they use a smart charger application to check the charging status or receive notifications if the vehicle is not plugged in. Others may set reminders via Google to ensure their vehicle is charging before bedtime. Although these are valid solutions, they possess a significant flaw. If one lies down before or arrives home after the scheduled reminder, or forgets to check the application, these solutions fail to provide constant updates. Conversely, this remote indicator would constantly display the status, benefiting individuals who might forget to plug in their vehicle, similar to forgetting to charge their phone at night, or friends who frequently complain about forgetting to charge their vehicle.