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EDF has launched a commercial vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging service with Nissan, allowing businesses to sell excess energy back to the grid.
Launched through EDF’s subsidiary Dreev – a joint venture with US-based green energy technology company Nuvve – the offer is available to fleet owners of the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200.
The service includes the supply and installation of a compact bi-directional 11kW charger capable of fully charging a Nissan Leaf, depending on the battery model, in 3 hours and 30 minutes.
It also features a Dreev smartphone app which will allow users to define their energy requirements for driving, as well as track and control charging.
By using the service, the companies said fleet customers can save around £350 per charger each year – the equivalent of approximately 9,000 miles of annual driving charge.
Philip Valarino, interim head of EV projects at EDF, said: “Today’s announcement marks an important step on the UK’s journey towards electric mobility. By combining the expertise and capabilities of EDF, Nissan and Dreev we have produced a solution that could transform the EV market as we look to help the UK in its journey to achieve net zero.
“Our hope is that forward-thinking businesses across the country will be persuaded to convert their traditional fleets to electric, providing them with both an environmental and economic advantage in an increasingly crowded market.”
Andrew Humberstone, managing director, Nissan Motors GB, said: “Nissan has been a pioneer in 100 per cent electric mobility since 2010, and the integration of electric vehicles into the company is at the heart of Nissan’s vision for intelligent mobility.
“The Nissan Leaf, with more than half a million units already sold worldwide – is the only model today to allow V2G two-way charging. As such, the Nissan Leaf offers new economic opportunities for businesses that no other electric vehicle does today.
“We are delighted to be working with EDF on the deployment and democratisation of V2G technology and in providing yet another reason for transport to electrify.”
GeniePoint
Elsewhere in the sector, national EV charging network GeniePoint, which has almost 700 chargepoints in Great Britain, has become the latest network to join Zap-Pay, an app-based payment system spanning multiple networks.
Launched last year, Zap-Pay allows customers to pay for charging across networks within the Zap-Map app through a single payment system.
Zap-Map and GeniePoint owner Equans – the new name for Engie’s services-led activity – have now begun work on technical integration which is expected to be completed in early August.
Alex Earl, commercial director at Zap-Map, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome GeniePoint on board to Zap-Pay. As a nationwide charging network with well-placed rapid and fast charge points, GeniePoint’s inclusion in the Zap-Pay partner network will make paying for charging that much easier for Zap-Map users.
“The GeniePoint network’s focus on quality and interoperability reflects our own approach with Zap-Pay, and of course Zap-Map’s overall mission to make charging simple.”
Dee Humphries, managing director for EV solutions at Equans, said: “GeniePoint is focussed on making it as easy as possible for all EV drivers to get a charge when they need it. We recognise that we need to keep working hard to make it easier for customers and we are committed to constantly improving the experience for our drivers.
“I’m excited for us to be integrating with Zap-Pay, which will provide greater choice, simplicity and convenience for EV drivers across the country.”
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