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In this week’s Power Playbook: From virtual power plants to enhanced flexibility-driven solutions, a surge of acquisitions and partnerships is putting EV smart charging firmly in the spotlight.
The value case for smart charging has become clear as EVs electrify in droves. By getting drivers to charge while being mindful of peak grid pressure, it enables a more balanced grid.
To tap into the business value behind these types of models, energy companies, aggregators and utilities have been developing strategic business partnerships and announcing acquisitions to enhance their offerings.
Here are four ways smart charging has been driving business value:
VPP for EV OEMs
Just this week in the US, EnergyHub, which provides grid-edge flexibility solutions, acquired Bridge to Renewables (BTR), an EV telematics solution provider.
According to the companies, through a strategic investment, the acquisition will accelerate utility EV programme growth and expand EnergyHub’s direct partnerships with EV OEMs.
EnergyHub provides virtual power plant (VPP) technology to over 80 North American utilities, managing more than 120 programmes that integrate EVs, connected thermostats, batteries, and other flexible devices.
BTR works with 12 EV manufacturers to enable more than 500,000 connected vehicles to participate in low carbon fuel standard programmes. The company also facilitates participation in managed charging programmes via a suite of embeddable mobile app experiences.
By acquiring BTR, EnergyHub says they are also able to dramatically scale up their ability to integrate EVs– alongside other DERs like thermostats and batteries– into cross-DER VPPs that deliver value to customers, EV OEMs, and the grid.
Additionally, says EnergyHub, with the acquisition, OEMs integrated with BTR’s platform to participate in low carbon fuels programmes will be able to leverage that same integration to access managed charging programmes that EnergyHub runs for utility clients.
Said Seth Frader-Thompson, president of EnergyHub: “By acquiring BTR, we are accelerating our delivery of transformative grid value and an exceptional customer experience – built on an industry-leading foundation of EV data, seamless integrations, and VPP expertise.”
More from the Power Playbook:
International partnership for connected charging data
Two weeks prior, a partnership was struck between US-based Sense and Norway-based Enode.
Sense develops grid edge technology while Enode provides an API platform for connecting and optimising energy devices.
Under their new business partnership, Sense will integrate the Enode API into the Sense Home app to provide connected charging with data from over 45 EV brands and 365 EV models.
Data interoperability is one of many issues to overcome for EV uptake to thrive. It is also one of many topics I tackle in my new podcast series, Spain’s Journey to Greener Mobility, publishing weekly in September.
Tune in for insights into the region’s unique experience in the e-mobility sector.
Over the course of the partnership, users will enjoy additional details about their EVs, including the ability to see their vehicle charging details within the context of the entire home as well as the ability to optimise charging to maximise savings and ensure grid reliability.
Once connected to Enode through the Sense app, users will have access to real-time EV data that includes battery level, charge rate, charging status, and more. This creates the opportunity to set charging schedule preferences, which include days, times, and battery percentage ranges, while smart charging controls send signals to stop and start charging as time of use rates rise and fall.
Over time, Enode’s API platform, combined with Sense’s visibility into real-time power flow at the edge of the grid, will also enable the development of new tools for utilities and grid operators to influence local system reliability.
A bolstered utility offering
In early August, UK utility EDF, through its British subsidiary EDF Energy Customers Ltd, completed the acquisition of all outstanding shares of Pod Point Group Holdings PLC, a London-based EV smart charging solutions provider.
The full acquisition followed the Pod Board’s recommendation of the buyout offer from EDF in June, at which time EDF had held a 53% stake in the business.
With the acquisition, Pod was delisted from the London Stock Exchange, effective from 4th August 2025, marking the completion of the transition to a privately held company.
Commenting in a release was Philippe Commaret, managing director of customers, EDF in the UK “Pod has been a key player in the EV charging space and as a wholly owned subsidiary of EDF, will be well-positioned to thrive in a rapidly evolving market.”
More from the Power Playbook:
Is the global switchgear market reaching an impasse?
How energy M&As are upping the ante
Luxurious smart charging
Also in the UK, two weeks before the announcement from EDF, luxury vehicles company JLR and smart charging platform ev.energy announced a collaboration to pilot a high-quality smart charging solution.
According to the companies, the collaboration will enable utilities to optimise EV charging across JLR’s current and next-generation EVs, with a goal to reduce grid strain, integrate more renewable energy, and provide drivers with a seamless, cost-effective smart charging experience.
As part of the collaboration, ev.energy and JLR are running a UK pilot programme with 10 Jaguar I-PACE models.
By integrating JLR’s connected vehicle platform with ev.energy’s software platform, the EVs will be able to automatically charge according to a driver’s preferred schedule, utility rates, and grid conditions.
Following the pilot, the solution is set to roll out to clients in the UK, the US, and the EU, supporting EV charging optimisation across these regions.
The JLR integration will also expand ev.energy’s global VPP, providing utilities and grid operators with increased access to demand-side flexibility, enhanced demand response, and dynamic load management.
JLR is the first automotive manufacturer to invest in ev.energy through its corporate venture capital arm, InMotion Ventures, participating in ev.energy’s $33 million Series B funding round led by National Grid Partners.
Said Swarna Ramanathan, JLR chief strategy officer: ‘’Our work with ev.energy is testament to the power of corporate-scale-up collaboration in unlocking fresh ideas to solve some of our industry’s biggest challenges.”
Smart charging has been, and will no doubt continue to evolve into a business catalyst.
The landscape is becoming more competitive, with grid integration, data insights and flexibility fuelling unique partnerships in the sector.
But what do you think? Are there any upcoming deals that should be on our radar? What are some unique initiatives born from companies looking to bolster their offering in the EV space?
Reach out and let me know so that I can feature your thoughts in the Power Playbook.
Cheers,
Yusuf Latief
Content Producer
Smart Energy International
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