Nissan and energy supplier EDF have announced that it will work together to develop smart charging technologies to optimize how electric vehicles charge and discharge.
The cooperation agreement focuses mainly on developing smart charging solutions (vehicle to grid, or V2G) by bringing together technologies developed by both companies. Smart charging refers to technologies that optimize the charging or discharging of an electric vehicle in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
As part of the cooperation agreement, Nissan is responsible for the sale of V2G compatible electric vehicles, and EDF Group in charge of V2G charging solutions and related services.
Smart charging solutions include technologies to control when vehicles charge and how quickly they power up, as well as allow the two-way flow of electricity between vehicle and charger. Thanks to V2G technologies, the energy accumulated in the batteries of electric vehicles can also be used for businesses own energy needs or the grid when required.
The energy that is stored in a electric vehicle such as the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 van can be sold back to the grid by the customer, generating additional revenue to offset vehicle ownership costs.
The agreement follows a previous partnership in the UK between EDF Energy and Nissan. Signed last year, the two organizations agreed to collaborate around the development of shared offerings in the areas of electric mobility, smart charging, second-life battery use, energy storage and renewable energy sources.
“Our customers are looking to us to help them transition to electric vehicles, and smart charging technologies are crucial to this journey. By combining our expertise with Nissan, we are able to work together to make low-carbon transport a reality for businesses today and for wider society in the near future. Our ability to offer our customers solutions that will help them to invest in electric vehicles and start to realize the financial and environmental benefits they bring is achievable through partnerships such as this,” said Béatrice Bigois, managing director customers at EDF Energy.
