Ahead of the European launch of its first full electric car, Honda announced its first ‘commercial energy management service’ branded e:Progress.
This package will offer smart charger, tariff, and charge control system.
The smart tariff is claimed to be the first flexible energy contract tailored specifically for EV owners in Europe, optimising electricity use from renewable sources such as solar power, wind farms and hydropower. The service also allows charging at the best time, relative to grid demand.
The new service will be offered in collaboration with smart charging and aggregation specialist Moixa, and European energy supplier, Vattenfall.
Through Moixa’s GridShare smart charge system, customers simply specify their preferred parameters for minimum state of charge through a smartphone app, leaving the system to manage charging. Electricity is provided by Vattenfall with a flexible time of use tariff offering lower cost energy at certain times than a fixed tariff.
Honda claims this new deal allows EV owners to charge cars on a schedule which makes best use of the most affordable and greenest energy available.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataThe domestic Honda Power Charger will charge the new e EV from flat to 100% capacity from a 32 amp power supply in just over four hours, much faster than a standard domestic wall socket.
The automaker claims e:PROGRESS will support active grid management to stabilise demand and optimise the use of renewable energy.
Joergen Pluym, energy management project leader at Honda Motor Europe said: “This is our first move into a service business model in the energy [sector] and we are committed to continuing to invest and develop in this area as part of the move towards electrification and widespread adoption of electric vehicles.”
Honda’s first vehicle to grid project went live in January with the installation of bi-directional chargers in trendy Islington, north London. This project was a first step in helping the local council electrify its entire fleet in line with its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030. The project can also aggregate groups of plugged-in EVs to send power back to the grid when it is at its most expensive and carbon-intensive.
The Power Charger goes on sale as first customer deliveries of the e start this summer with the full service live before the end of 2020.
The UK leads initially with Germany and other European countries to follow.