Utrecht is flooded with Renault E-Tech models
Bidirectional charging technology
This initiative aims to facilitate the widespread availability of electric shared mobility while providing an innovative way to balance the city of Utrecht’s electricity grid through bi-directional charging technology. The Netherlands has become a world leader in the rollout of solar and wind energy, creating challenges on the power grid. Utrecht is one of the most advanced European cities in using renewable energy, with already 35% of all roofs covered with solar panels.
500 E-Tech electric models
As part of the agreement signed at the Dutch embassy in Paris on Nov. 27, 2024, the partners plan to deploy a fleet of five hundred Renault E-Tech Electric models in Utrecht, initially consisting of the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric. These cars, available through a car-sharing service managed by MyWheels, should use V2G bi-directional charging technology developed by Mobilize, Renault Group’s brand dedicated to new mobility.
500 two-way cars
This would be the first time this technology has been used for the benefit of public infrastructure. Five hundred two-way cars can provide 10% of the flexibility needed in the Utrecht region to balance solar and wind energy for use during peak hours.
Sustainable technology for all
The fleet of shared cars will eventually expand to include the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric, Megane E-Tech Electric and Scenic E-Tech Electric. The use of Mobilize’s V2G technology would represent a significant step forward and enable We Drive Solar’s public infrastructure and services to contribute on a large scale to a more resilient and sustainable energy system.
Collaboration
Renault’s cars, equipped with Mobilize’s V2G technology, should start allowing users to charge their vehicles with clean energy and feed power back to the grid when electricity demand is high. This not only lowers overall electricity costs, but also helps stabilize the grid and further integrate renewable energy sources.
We Drive Solar, an international leader in smart charging, plans to provide its advanced bi-directional charging solutions to do just that. Beginning in Utrecht, all new bi-directional public AC chargers should support Mobilize’s V2G toolkit.
Renault’s cars will then be managed by MyWheels, the largest car-sharing company in the Netherlands. With this initiative, MyWheels would set a new standard for car-sharing services by integrating mobility and energy solutions to address modern urban challenges. This collaboration shows the strength of the contribution that public-private initiatives can make to sustainable and efficient mobility solutions.