Renault’s Three Energy Deals to Boost EV Adoption

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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12th October 2018

Renault has signed energy supply deals with three of Europe’s major players in a bid to boost the uptake of electric vehicles.

The French automaker has announced the signing of agreements with EDF, Total and ENEL as part of its plan to develop a smart electric ecosystem to support EVs.

A three-point agreement for energy transition with EDF will focus on:

• Cross-marketing solutions revolving around EDF’s Mon Soleil & Moi self-consumption service and the smart charging of Renault electric vehicles;
• Expansion of the concept of smart islands in French overseas areas and territories including Corsica. Renault intends to introduce solutions similar to those being rolled out in Porto Santo Island, in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, and Belle-Île-en-Mer in Brittany, France;
• The pooling of expertise to continue providing competitive, low-carbon power services for users of Renault electric vehicles.

At the same time, Renault has signed an agreement with Total and Jedlix, the carmaker’s long-standing smart charging partner, for a ZE Smart Charge offer to be launched in the first half of 2019 in France. The Z.E. Smart Charge smartphone app can manage EV charging to maximize use of renewable energies while benefiting from low electricity prices. The offer is associated to a 100% green electricity supply provided by Total Spring. In addition, Z.E. Smart Charge will fiscally reward vehicle users for the flexibility it claims for smart charging.

Both Renault and Total also pledge to work together on charging infrastructure and energy supply hoping to bring down the cost of EV charging.

ENEL subsidiary, Enel X, is also committed to work with the carmaker covering smart charging of EVs through Enel X’s JuiceNet platform starting with a pilot study in Italy prior to release nationwide and in other countries. It will also plans focus expansion of charging infrastructure, installing new networks under EU projects like EVA+, a network of fast charging stations across Austria and Italy, and aiding access to existing charging points through digital apps such as ZE Pass Renault.

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_