Renault Group and EDF Group have launched a new partnership in France, which will see the duo offer an integrated EV solution that combines an electric car with a home charging system and smart charging capabilities such as bidirectional charging, vehicle-to-grid (V2G), and vehicle-to-home (V2H).
Renault and EDF look to boost V2G within the EV ecosystem
The package will be available to private customers through Renault Group’s dealership network, with home charger installation handled by EDF’s subsidiary IZI, and smart charging management provided by DREEV, part of EDF Business Services. The services are expected to roll out to customers by summer next year.
The agreement initially focuses on family homes, covering three main areas – the sale and installation of home charge points, the development of services to optimise charging, and the ability to let an EV’s stored energy be fed back into the home or grid when required. The partnership could help lower home electricity bills for EV owners, and offer an extra source of value from the battery sitting on their driveway. The partnership will expand to all EVs which support bidirectional technology within the wider Renault Group, so will include popular models such as the Renault 5, Renault Twingo, and Dacia Spring.
Both companies are also framing the deal as a boost to energy independence within France. As the number of EVs in the country continues to grow, the ability to utilise EV batteries as a key grid asset could help ensure demand is met during peak energy demand, reducing the country’s reliance on imported energy or fossil fuel-generated energy.
Jérôme Faton, VP Customer Experience and Energy at Renault Group, commented:
“Beyond technological innovation, this partnership provides a concrete response to two major concerns for French consumers: purchasing power and the energy transition. By helping to better manage charging costs and creating new opportunities to unlock value from energy, Renault Group and EDF Group, two French leaders, aim to make electric mobility even more attractive and accessible across the country.”
Christelle Vives, President of EDF Business Services, added:
“This alliance demonstrates how two leading French companies can join forces to advance competitive, sovereign and low-carbon mobility. EDF Group has extensive expertise in smart charging solutions, already deployed by our subsidiary Dreev to more than 100,000 customers across France and Europe. By combining innovative energy technologies and services tailored to consumers’ needs, Renault Group and EDF Group are helping strengthen a national industrial ecosystem that creates value, jobs and innovation.”
