Volkswagen and EDF team up to promote electric cars in France
Volkswagen and EDF are joining forces to accelerate the transition to electromobility in France. The goal is to reduce charging costs for French consumers through this partnership.
Charging optimization for smart consumption
This partnership will allow Volkswagen to offer a smart charging solution, aimed at reducing energy costs for electric car users. The focus is on using green electricity, which is often cheaper. However, to benefit from favorable rates, it’s important to manage charging times well, which can be complicated for users who are unavailable during optimal hours.
EDF offers a solution called Sowee Smart Charge, which allows drivers to calibrate their vehicle’s charging based on times when electricity is most economical and ecological. Managing the charge via the Sowee application can accumulate a bonus, translatable into savings on the electricity bill, although these gains are not very significant, like the 50 euros saved for charging a Volkswagen ID.3 thanks to this option.
Innovations with bidirectional charging
The collaboration between EDF and Volkswagen extends to bidirectional charging, an innovative process allowing the car to serve as an energy source for the grid or home. This is particularly advantageous in case of a power outage or during peaks in energy demand.
This aspect of the partnership plans for the installation of 800 bidirectional charging stations across France, thus facilitating energy feedback to the power grid to alleviate demand, in exchange for possible financial compensation from energy suppliers.
Solar panels in Volkswagen dealerships for carbon footprint reduction
Finally, as part of its efforts to decarbonize the distribution network in France, Volkswagen plans to install solar panels in its dealerships. This project is part of the GoToZero initiative, aiming for a carbon-neutral impact for the entire Volkswagen network by 2050. This ambitious plan contributes to the long-term reduction of the brand’s environmental footprint.
