Groupe Renault has been in the manufacturing industry since 1898, designing and making cars. Since 2015, Renault became partners with Jedlix; a Dutch start-up launched by Eneco Group that specialises in the smart and sustainable charging of electric vehicles. The two companies make a great combination, in terms of Jedlix’s knowledge of the energy sector with Renault’s EV manufacturing experience. This alliance will demonstrate a major chapter for Renault, as their ambition is to become a key player in the ecosystem of the electric vehicle.Gilles Normand, Senior Vice President, Electric Vehicle, Renault explained: “A pioneer in the electric vehicle market, Renault has confirmed its leadership position by developing innovative partnerships. With Jedlix, we will provide new services to make charging – and thus the use of electric vehicles – even more easy and affordable.”
Ruben Benders, managing director of Jedlix said: “Our partnership with Groupe Renault will help us to create the best possible smart charging service and to offer its benefits to a large and diverse customer base throughout Europe.”
What is Smart Charge?
The partnered companies have decided to initiate their first plan of action, the smartphone app called Z.E. Smart Charge. Smart charging adjusts the vehicle charge to meet the demands of the consumer and the available electricity supply on the grid. The vehicle charges when the electricity supply exceeds demand, notably during renewable energy production surpluses and during time slots when electricity is at its lowest price. It thus favours lower-carbon and less expensive energy.
What is the idea behind the app?
The idea behind this app is to make charging an electric vehicle for a consumer more efficient, by the app being integrated to the driver’s Renault EV which optimises the vehicle charge management when the car is plugged in.
How does the app work?
All drivers do is tell the app their preferred charge level required and their departure time, then the app supplies the EV with the minimum charge requested by the driver for their journey, with the remaining charge delivered in smart charging mode.
What are the perks of this app from a consumer’s point of view?
Renault and Jedlix have also created a rewards feature for their consumers, by the app rewarding users for being efficient and flexible with charging i.e. charging their EV during off-peak times when the electrical grid is at its quietest. Overall, this can accumulate ultimately allow drivers to receive the equivalent of a full battery charge (these are given monthly).
Z.E. Smart Charge will be available in the Netherlands before the end of this year and will be expanding into other European countries in 2018 with it being able to access on all types of smartphones or tablets with iOS or Android operating systems.
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