500 Renault 5 Carsharing EVs Used in European First V2G Scheme

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13 years ago, Utrecht brightened our day with news of a Traffic Garden — something so basic, so common sense, and yet so amazing. Things are how they should be. Flowing with well-trained bicyclists is just one of the ways Utrecht succeeds with high-efficiency transportation, though.

9 years ago, Utrecht integrated other transport solutions in order to cut emissions for all of those cyclists, using 150 Renault ZOE EVs in a solar smart charging project. Utrecht has already installed solar panels on 35% of its rooftops, making it one of the most renewable energy-savvy cities in Europe. Using that solar to charge EVs is a great way to keep the air clean.

Now, together with the city of Utrecht, Renault Group, We Drive Solar, and MyWheels have introduced the first V2G-enabled carsharing program in Europe. Renault Group reports that the city joined the program in response to the Netherlands’ significant boom in renewable energy. Renault Group will supply 500 Renault 5 E-Tech electric vehicles equipped with Mobilize’s V2G technology. We Drive Solar will install and run bidirectional charging stations. MyWheels, the Netherlands’ premier carsharing company, will operate the fleet. The deal was inked at the Dutch embassy in Paris.

This will be the first time V2G bidirectional charging technology is employed to improve public infrastructure. 500 electric cars could deliver 10% of the flexibility required in the Utrecht region to balance solar and wind energy use during peak hours.

Renault 5 packs a punch. Fun, playful, friendly, more respectful, and still so chic. A lively, bold, and capable city car with up to 248 miles of driving range on a single charge. Not to mention its French charm. Image from Renault.

Significance of Public-Private Partnerships

Renault 4 E-Tech, Megane E-Tech, and Scenic E-Tech electric vehicles may someday join the fleet. Their compact size and smart technology make them ideal for urban carsharing systems in cities. The implementation of Mobilize’s V2G technology will be a huge step forward for the region, allowing We Drive Solar’s public infrastructure and services to help create a more robust and sustainable energy system on a wide scale. This collaboration demonstrates the significance of public-private partnerships in quickening the shift to healthier, more effective urban mobility options.