Groupe Renault is acquiring a 25 per cent share in Jedlix, a Dutch start-up launched by Eneco Group that specialises in the smart and sustainable charging of electric vehicles. Renault says that this marks a key step forward in its ambition to become a major player in the ecosystem of the electric vehicle.
Partners since 2015, Groupe Renault and Jedlix are strengthening their collaborative efforts. Together, the two companies develop new offers for the electric vehicle users, based on Jedlix’s expertise in smart charging and its in-depth knowledge of the energy sector, along with the electric vehicle experience and skills of Renault.
In the first achievement of the partnership with Jedlix, Renault is launching Z.E. Smart Charge, a new smartphone app. The app optimises the management of vehicle charges to benefit as much as possible from renewable energy and the lowest prices. Users indicate the charge level they need and the departure time of their car. After supplying the minimum charge requested by the user, the app manages the rest of the charge in smart charging mode.
In addition, Z.E. Smart Charge rewards users financially for being flexible about their charges. Every month, the user receives an amount, which could be equivalent of up to a complete charge.
Z.E. Smart Charge will be available in the Netherlands before the end of the year and will be rolled-out in other European countries in 2018. It can be used on all types of smartphones or tablets with iOS or Android operating systems.
Smart charging adjusts the vehicle charge to the needs of users 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.
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.”
Since 2015 Jedlix has made it possible to better use the supply of renewable energy with electric vehicles. Jedlix launched its smart charging app for iOS and Android early 2016, connecting over 1,000 public charging stations for all full electric and plugin-hybrid cars. Its partners include Groupe Renault, BMW and Tesla.
Jedlix won the Dutch ICT Environmental Award 2016 and the E-World Energy App Award 2017 and is currently nominated for an Accenture Innovation Award 2017. Jedlix, named after Anyos Jedlik, the inventor of the electric motor, is part of Eneco Group, a Dutch-based group of companies operating in the field of sustainable energy and innovation.
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