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Here at Renault Retail Group, we're always looking to the future of mobility, and we're incredibly excited to share a ground breaking development that perfectly aligns with our vision: Utrecht has become Europe’s first city with a large-scale Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) car sharing service!
This pioneering initiative, named "Utrecht energized," is a unique collaboration between Renault Group, We Drive Solar, MyWheels, and the Municipality of Utrecht. It's a world first in bidirectional AC charging for sustainable energy storage in shared cars, creating a fully operational V2G ecosystem designed to stabilise the grid while offering Utrecht residents an affordable, sustainable mobility solution.
Imagine your electric car not just taking power from the grid, but also giving it back when needed. That's the magic of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology! In Utrecht, where a impressive 35% of rooftops already have solar panels, managing peaks in energy supply from renewables is a challenge. This is where the V2G technology steps in, allowing electric vehicles to store excess renewable energy and feed it back to the local grid during high demand periods, ensuring sustainable power is available around the clock.
This initiative is a decisive step towards cleaner mobility, promoting widespread availability of electric shared cars while simultaneously helping to balance the city’s electricity network through pioneering bidirectional charging.
Renault Group is a key player in this innovative project, supplying 500 electric models featuring Mobilize V2G technology. The roll out is already live with 50 Renault 5 E-Tech electric cars available via the MyWheels car sharing service. Soon, the fleet will expand to include the exciting Renault 4 E-Tech electric, Renault Megane E-Tech electric, and Renault Scenic E-Tech electric.
These 500 bidirectional cars can deliver 10% of the flexibility required in the Utrecht region to balance solar and wind generated electricity at peak times. Mobilize, Renault Group’s brand dedicated to new mobilities, developed this V2G bidirectional charging technology, and it's the first time this innovative technology has been made available for public infrastructure, provided by We Drive Solar.
Utrecht Energized is a shining example of how public-private initiatives can truly deliver sustainable and efficient mobility solutions. As Jérôme Faton, Mobilize Energy director, puts it: "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."
Renault Group is committed to Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology and is actively urging policymakers and industry stakeholders to accelerate its deployment across Europe. We believe that with the right supportive regulatory framework, we can truly unleash the full potential of electric cars, turning every EV into a valuable grid asset and powering a faster, smarter shift to a sustainable energy ecosystem.
This project in Utrecht is a fantastic step forward, demonstrating that with collaboration, innovation, and a clear vision, we can create a cleaner, more balanced energy future for everyone.