The design of a smart EV charging system that provides maximum power delivery from renewable energy (PV) sources is described, through the application of control strategies which ensure that system power converters are operated in regions of high efficiency. Using the proposed approach, system level models predict power efficiency improvements of up to 6% for a 6.5 kW PV installation with four EV charging points. The implementation of a complete small-scale demonstrator system designed as a test bed for validation and investigation of other smart control algorithms is described, including a PV source, power converters, a smart controller and Li-ion battery loads.