Nissan and EDF have agreed a deal to offer a combined package allowing Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 owners vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging capabilities. The partnership will initially be focused on business users, with a consumer launch planned in future.
The current generation of Nissan electric vehicles are able to feed power into the grid or an energy storage system, rather than simply be charged. As such, the option of V2G charging for customers means that loads can be balanced in local grids, and costs can be reduced.
With energy from the car’s battery fed back to the grid during peak times, and smart charging taking place at off-peak periods, significant savings can be made. Limits can be set as to how low the battery can be discharged, and times set for the car to be fully topped-up again, or for the battery to reach a certain level of charge.
Across the UK, France, Belgium, and Italy, Nissan will be responsible for providing the vehicles, and EDF will provide the V2G systems and services. The agreement follows on from a partnership signed last year, where the two companies agreed to collaborate in developing shared offerings in the areas of electric mobility, smart charging, second-life battery use, energy storage, and renewable energy storage.
Francisco Carranza, Managing Director for Nissan Energy in Europe, said: “This new partnership with EDF across four major European markets is another sign that our vision of an electric ecosystem is becoming a reality.
“Businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits and opportunities offered by the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200, and adding a V2G solution is a logical next step for managing their energy supply and opening new revenue opportunities.”
Béatrice Bigois, Managing Director – Customers at EDF Energy said: “Our customers are looking to us to help them transition to electric vehicles, and smart charging technologies are crucial to this journey.
“By combining our expertise with Nissan, we are able to work together to make low-carbon transport a reality for businesses today and for wider society in the near future. Our ability to offer our customers solutions that will help them to invest in electric vehicles and start to realise the financial and environmental benefits they bring is achievable through partnerships such as this.”
