The increase in electric vehicle charging is prompting discussions among utilities and regulators about not only grid impacts and best practices, but also about the role of the consumer. At the Eurelectric Seminar “Smart Charging: steering the change, driving the change,” Sarah Keay-Bright pinpoints three key considerations for effective consumer involvement: agent, aggregation, and access. Successful electric vehicle charging programs will offer consumers fair compensation and strict data protection through a trusted agent in the form of simple, tangible, and transparent plans. Market design and policy options can support effective programs by guaranteeing equal treatment of demand- and supply-side resources, allowing the aggregation of distributed energy resources, providing easy access for new market entrants, and placing proper value on flexibility.