Groupe Renault Continuously Moving Forward
Groupe Renault has always been a forward-thinking car manufacturer and leads Europe’s efforts in developing electric vehicles. Electric mobility is, after all, the core of their strategy. If they weren’t already ahead, the recent agreements signed with EDF, Total and ENEL cements their place in pole position.
Innovation is in Groupe Renault’s DNA as they aim to better meet the expectations of its customers in terms of electric mobility. The agreement clearly shows their intention to develop, not only more efficient electric vehicles but also a smart electric ecosystem.
Renault had always planned to offer vehicles with increased autonomy and connected services which facilitates fast recharging. Signing the agreements with key stakeholders in the European energy sector is key to realising their ambitions. They believe that the electric vehicle is more than just a car, that it has a battery capable of balancing the power grid. As a result, it plays a major role in the field of renewable energy with the potential to recharge where it is parked.
Groupe Renault’s cooperation agreement with EDF focuses on three major elements, all focused on electric mobility and energy services. Firstly, Renault and the EDF group will develop cross-marketing solutions in the form of EDF’s Mon Soleil & Moi self-consumption service and Renault’s smart charging vehicle technology.
Secondly, they will work on expanding the smart island concept to non-interconnected French territories alongside EDF SEI. Groupe Renault wants to introduce similar solutions to those in Porto Santo Island and Belle-Île-en-Mer in Brittany, France. Lastly, they will use their combined expertise to continue providing competitive, low-carbon power services for all-electric vehicle users.
The agreement between Groupe Renault, Total and Jedlix, the Group’s revered smart charging partner, aims at launching a ZE Smart Charge offer in France, early 2019. The ZE Smart Charge smartphone app will optimise the vehicle’s charging management system to maximise the use of renewable energies which will benefit from low electricity prices. As a result, it will ultimately help make electric mobility much more affordable. The ZE Smart Charge offer is linked to a 100% green electricity supply provided by Total Spring.
The collaboration between Groupe Renault and Enel X will leverage synergies and develop tailored charging solutions to their individual target customers, aiming to promote electric mobility. This partnership will cover the smart charging of vehicles through Enel X’s JuiceNet platform with a pilot study in Italy before implementing it in other countries. It also focuses on expanding the charging infrastructure under EU projects like EVA+ which is a network of fast charging stations across Austria and Italy. Mainly thanks to digital apps such as ZE Pass Renault, it will facilitate access to existing charging points as well.
Smart charging is set to change electric mobility as it adjusts the vehicle’s charging based on the user’s needs and preferences as well as available power in the grid. Electric cars are primarily charged when the power supply exceeds the demand, especially during off-peak hours and peak renewable-energy production. Charging will stop when there is more demand for power than the grid can supply. As a result, this enables the electricity network to optimise local supplies of renewable energy.
