Changes on charging scene
The BMW Group, Ford Motor Company and American Honda Motor Company have entered into an agreement to create ChargeScape.
It’s an equally owned business that will create a single, cost-effective platform connecting electric utilities, carmakers and electric vehicle (EV) customers.
ChargeScape will unlock new value that EVs can provide to the grid, while enabling EV owners to earn financial benefits via managed charging and energy-sharing services.
The closing of the transaction and subsequent formation of ChargeScape is pending regulatory approvals, with the company expected to be operational early next year.
The single platform will eliminate the need for individual integrations between each automotive brand and each electric utility. It will give the utility companies access to battery energy across a wide pool of EVs.
Participating EV owners will have the potential to earn financial benefits by charging at “grid friendly” times through flexible and managed schedules. They will also eventually be able to share the energy stored in the batteries with the grid during times of peak demand through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications.
ChargeScape will enable the smart use of plugged-in EV batteries by securely providing energy data to utilities and system operators like aggregated demand response, alignment of charging and EV battery utilisation with off-peak, low-cost hours and the availability of high-renewable energy.
Due to the efficient integration with participating carmakers and the anticipation of high levels of EV customer enrolment, these services are expected to be a cost-efficient, operational benefit for electric utilities.
“Electric-grid reliability and sustainability are the foundation for an EV-powered future,” says Thomas Ruemenapp, vice-president of engineering for BMW of North America.
“ChargeScape aims to accelerate the expansion of smart charging and vehicle-to-everything solutions all over the country while increasing customer benefits, supporting the stability of the grid and helping to maximise renewable energy usage.”
Bill Crider, Ford’s global head of charging and energy services, adds: “Electric vehicles are unlocking entirely new benefits for customers that can save them money while supporting grid resiliency and increase the use of clean, renewable energy.
“ChargeScape will help accelerate the true potential of the EV revolution by providing significant benefits to both utilities and EV customers through smart V2G services.”
Jay Joseph, vice-president of sustainability and business development at American Honda Motor Co, says: “As we seek to achieve our global goal of carbon neutrality, we are counting on this platform to create value for our customers by connecting EVs to electric utilities, strengthening grid resources and reducing CO2 emissions.”
