V2G car-sharing project Utrecht Energised goes live
Image courtesy Renault Group
Renault Group, MyWheels and We Drive Solar, together with the Municipality of Utrecht, have gone live with their large scale vehicle to grid (V2G) car sharing service: Utrecht energised.
Thanks to the V2G technology, combined with a shared-mobility service, EVs in the project will be able to store energy and feed it back to the local grid during peak periods, keeping the local grid in balance.
The launch of service was initially announced in November 2024 and will fully consist of 500 electric Renault models with Mobilize V2G technology; 50 Renault 5 E Tech electric cars in the programme have already been rolled out.
Available via a car sharing service managed by MyWheels, the biggest car-sharing company in the Netherlands, the vehicles use V2G bidirectional charging technology developed by Mobilize, Renault Group’s brand dedicated to new mobilities.
According to the partners in a release, it is the first time this technology, which includes bidirectional public AC chargers and aggregation tech, has been made available for public infrastructure. Said technology is provided by smart charging company We Drive Solar and will be used to support Mobilize’s V2G toolkit.
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The 500 bidirectional cars can deliver 10% of the flexibility required in the Utrecht region to balance solar and wind generated electricity at peak times. In Utrecht, 35 % of rooftops are already fitted with solar panels.
This use of renewables presents challenges for the Dutch grid due to their massive deployment, causing high peaks in energy supply. To manage the grid with a high proportion of renewables requires a system that quickly adapts to the changes in energy generation and consumption. This is where the V2G technology steps in to address these challenges.
The fleet will later expand with other E Tech electric models from Renault Group, who cite their compact design and advanced technology.
Commenting in a release was Jérôme Faton, Mobilize Energy director: “To unlock the full potential of V2G, we need to break down existing barriers – from adapting fiscal rules and grid fees to promoting interoperability and simplifying certification processes. With the right alignment, V2G can become a cornerstone of tomorrow’s grid.”
In a release, Renault says that to continue deploying V2G services, a supportive regulatory framework that addresses barriers such as unfavourable tax policies, grid fee structures, and complex certification processes will be essential.
Specifically, they say that successfully implementing V2G at scale requires a harmonised approach across the entire energy ecosystem, bringing together vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy providers, and grid operators.
Renault Group calls for clear and consistent regulations across Europe, encompassing fiscal incentives, grid fee revisions, streamlined certification processes, and support for smart meter deployment.
