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Author: Sébastien Besançon

understanding energy transition

transition energetique
Posted on by Sébastien Besançon
LEVEL UP

understanding energy transition

“Energy transition” is one of the main elements of the ecological transition, which advocates a more sustainable economic, social and environmental model. Everyone’s talking about it, and what’s more, it’s happening right now. So what’s behind this concept, what are the stakes involved and what impact is it having on mobility?

  • electric vehicle
  • energy storage
  • energy transition

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the energy transition at the heart of the ecological transition

Energy transition is the name given to the change in energy generation methods and energy consumption. It’s about a shift towards a more frugal system based on decarbonized energy sources that are renewable, clean and safe. This applies to almost all human activities: heating, lighting, transportation, industry, etc. It’s about cutting the use of fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) – non-renewable, greenhouse-gas-producing energy sources – in favor of renewable energy sources that are considered inexhaustible such as the sun (solar power), wind (wind power), water (hydraulic power), heat from underground (geothermal power), tide movement (tidal power) and organic matter (biomass).

This energy transition revolves around two main tenets: generating energy in ways that release less carbon dioxide (CO2) and cutting overall energy consumption, in particular by improving efficiency. The aim is therefore to do better, with less. This gradual shift from one energy model to another is the reason we talk about a “transition”.

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major challenges for the energy transition

combatting global warming

Three quarters of greenhouse gas emissions are due to energy combustion. This includes the transport of goods and people, including aviation (26%), industrial production of electricity, heat and other fuels (24%), and the energy used by households, businesses and institutions (14%) or by companies to produce or build (11%), according to Eurostat. The combustion of coal, oil and gas to produce this energy releases carbon in the form of CO2, which is responsible for more than 80% of the greenhouse effect. Global warming is the consequence. Abandoning fossil fuels in favour of decarbonised energies would automatically contribute to limiting emissions, particularly of CO2, and thus fight against global warming.Safeguarding the population and public health

Global warming causes an imbalance in atmospheric ecosystems that, among other things, leads to a rise in extreme weather phenomena (storms, heatwaves, floods, droughts) which pose a direct threat to the population and threaten key human activities like farming.

It’s also worth noting that the greenhouse gases that cause global warming are not the only emissions released by the burning of fossil fuels. They also release fine particles and other polluting emissions that affect air quality. By working to reduce them, energy transition therefore also improves public health.

 

reducing overall consumption

Energy transition also involves consuming less by living a more considered lifestyle and reducing waste.

It’s about avoiding using energy unnecessarily and optimizing systems so that they need less energy to produce the same yield. In the building, renovation, construction and automotive industries, strict norms and changes to heating systems can help cut yearly heating bills by 90%. This is what’s called energy efficiency. In the future, the development of smart grids and data from smart cities will facilitate the implementation of ambitious and appropriate energy efficiency policies.

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the energy transition underway

The energy transition is not just a vision for the future, it is an ongoing process. The NGO WWF has identified in a summary “15 signals” that show its progress around the world, such as the growing share of renewable energies in new electricity production facilities. And forecasts by the International Energy Agency show that renewables are expected to account for a third of electricity generation by 2025, ahead of coal. The progression of energy transition can also be measured in terms of the number of jobs that it creates. The International Labour Organization predicts that the green economy will create 24 million jobs worldwide by 2030. In the energy sector, this will notably go hand-in-hand with changing the energy mix, promoting the use of electric vehicles and improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

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the electric vehicle, accelerating the development of green electricity consumption

Modes of transportation, especially those run on fuel, are a significant source of energy expenditure and emissions. Again, the “less and better” tenet applies. The transportation sector alone accounts for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union. This is less than energy production, but more than agriculture and industrial processes.

 

electric mobility in the energy transition

The European Parliament points out that the road transport sector accounts for around one fifth of EU emissions, with private cars accounting for around 60% of these sectoral emissions.

Energy transition and electric vehicle development therefore seem to be closely linked if you look at the CO2 emissions released throughout the electric vehicle’s entire life cycle. Right from the start, the electric vehicle doesn’t release CO2 when being driven*. The origin of the electricity that it needs to run also plays an essential role in this positive impact. The more it comes from renewable sources, the more electric vehicles will turn out to be a smart choice. The European Environment Agency states that, using electricity solely from renewable energy sources, an electric vehicle releases four times less CO2 across its whole life cycle than a combustion-powered vehicle. What’s more, according to the FNH (foundation for nature and mankind), based on the average energy mix in France, an electric car already has a carbon balance that’s two to three times better than that of a combustion-engine car.

In parallel, electric vehicle technologies promote the incorporation of renewable energy sources into the electric mix. By helping energy supply and demand to coincide, smart charging and two-way charging (vehicle to grid) contribute to regulate and stabilize the network to make low-carbon, more affordable electricity available to everyone. Stationary energy battery storage systems using repurposed batteries from electric vehicles complete the picture by plugging gaps in the supply of renewable energy.

What remains is to reduce the impact of manufacturing; essential when it comes to developing the electric vehicle market. In particular, this concerns the extraction of raw materials, production method efficiency, battery evolutions and the development of recycling.

 

innovative mobility systems used as part of energy transition

The European Union has set itself the goal of reaching a 90% reduction in transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To get there, we’ll need to change our behavior too. Starting, notably with the transportation of people, by reducing mobility needs through promoting remote working for company employees, or even by designing cities that are more centralized and suited to “active” modes of transportation (walking, cycling) and public transportation. Shared mobility is another development angle. Services like carpooling and car sharing on a self-serve basis are in particular aimed at reducing traffic volume and optimizing the utilization rate of cars, especially in city centers. In the future, connected and self-driving electric vehicles will bring cities efficient solutions for improved traffic flow, freeing up some of the space taken up by cars and improving city-dwellers’ quality of life.

Energy transition is therefore accompanied by a change in energy policy but also by a change in our behaviour and lifestyles. It is a challenge, a vector of innovation and a source of opportunities. Mobilize, the new Renault Group brand, has understood this. By covering the entire ecosystem of electric and intelligent mobility, the solutions proposed by Mobilize voluntarily follow a path towards carbon neutrality.

 

*Neither atmospheric emissions of CO2 nor pollutants while driving (excluding wear parts).

 

Copyrights: inakiantonana, Mlenny, CarlFourie, LEMAL Jean-Brice, PLANIMONTEUR

car share – a key part of collaborative consumption

covoiturage consommation mobilize
Posted on by Sébastien Besançon
REBOOT

car share – a key part of collaborative consumption

Born alongside the digital revolution, collaborative consumption is the implementation of an economic idea that advocates an end to the ownership of certain goods in favor of better, collective use. This model plays a particularly important role in automobile mobility in the form of carpooling.

  • energy transition
  • shared mobility
  • transport on demand

REBOOT 1: responsible consumption is on the rise

The advent of new technologies has given rise to a real revolution. Society is shifting away from a vertical model (from manufacturer to consumer) towards more horizontal consumer patterns based on sharing and swapping between private individuals: collaborative consumption whereby owning goods is not as important as being able to use it. The idea that it can be used by multiple users is at the heart of this revolution.

In this functionality-oriented economy, the use of goods and especially of services is shared, either for free or in return for payment. Key assets in the conventional model such as houses or cars are now less and less subject to exclusive ownership, as they are being rented out to multiple users or swapped on a long-or short-term basis via dedicated platforms. The most successful examples of this type of collaborative consumption, to date, are Airbnb, Carpoolworld and Blablacar.

Besides its social advantages (sharing with those in need) and financial benefits for private individuals, collaborative consumption also helps address environmental concerns. Four passengers in a single car have a much smaller carbon footprint than they would if they were each driving their own vehicle. And consuming in a collaborative way contributes to sustainable development by giving certain items a second life via secondhand sale outlets like eBay, Back Market, etc.

REBOOT 2: the collaborative economy gets organised

In relation to the conventional consumption model, the collaborative economy is developing in two ways. First, it replicates what already exists, such as taking a taxi, renting an apartment or hiring a car. Then it adds on services that are missing from the generic options.

The most obvious examples of these add-ons are mobile apps, reviews of the services used and – perhaps most importantly – more attractive prices than those found on the conventional market.

The second way is to set up a brand new service like carpooling, which allows private individuals to arrange their own mobility among themselves, doing away with the restrictions of conventional transport.

REBOOT 3: numerous and diverse ‘collaborative’ consumers

So who are the consumers in this collaborative economy? To identify them, we have to consider the two main consumption habits of this population, i.e. the reason why they choose to consume in a collaborative way (to own or use goods collectively) and the context in which they do so: for individual or collective purposes.

Where these two approaches meet, we can identify four broad groups of collaborative consumers: Co-Owners, Co-Users, Single-Owners and Single-Users.

Co-owners are looking to consume in a more responsible way. Keen on group purchasing, they are for the most part found on platforms in the food and drink sector.

As for Co-Users, they are incentivized by the economic dimension of collaborative consumption. But while they are drawn to the financial aspect, the idea of consumption that is more respectful and which promotes social cohesion also has its appeal. This is why many of them can be found on carpooling websites.

Single-Owners seek as much to make savings as they do to avoid wastefulness. Therefore they tend to use giveaway and secondhand sale sites.

Lastly, Single-Users appreciate the social dimension and knowledge-sharing of collaborative consumption, generally on item rental and skills exchange sites.

REBOOT 4: ecological carpooling as an example of collaborative car consumption

Sometimes confused with car sharing, carpooling involves a more social dimension, as it connects a driver with passengers wanting to make the same trip. It is therefore also about meeting new people and sharing a moment together on the journey. And since carpooling has to work logistically for both the passengers and driver, it is generally arranged in advance, leaving little room for unplanned elements. This makes it perfect for regular daily trips, as well as more significant vacations. It remains the solution favored by consumers looking for a solution that makes sense financially, socially and logically, especially for long journeys.

The step in the shift towards collaborative consumption in the automotive sector, carpooling owes its success to its financial advantages. But its benefit to the environment is also notable.

 

Copyrights : LPETTET, pixelfit

ON THE SAME THEME

Zity by Mobilize, a model of carsharing in Europe

Since its launch nearly five years ago, Zity, a 100% electric self-service car-sharing service, has been demonstrating how this new form of mobility helps to ease traffic congestion and facilitate travel in cities.

everything you need to know about shared car

The swelling popularity of electric mobility and carsharing brings the two trends ever closer, pioneering an entirely new way of getting around. Let’s take a closer look at the early stages of this double-pronged revolution. 

ecomobility reinvents travel

ecomobilités trajets mobilize
Posted on by Sébastien Besançon
TIPS & TRICKS

ecomobility reinvents travel

Ecomobility touches on all mobility issues and lifestyles in this era of transition to clean energy. But how does it fit into the daily lives of those who live in cities and rural areas? And how can we make it ecomobility a reality so that everyone can make it their own? Here are some recipes to try.

  • connectivity
  • electric vehicle
  • energy transition
  • shared mobility
  • transport on demand

Recipe #1: understanding ecomobility with a pinch of imagination

The principle of ecomobility involves initiatives and infrastructures that make sustainable mobility possible, whether in cities, suburbs or rural areas. Just imagine public services, shops, schools, close to each other and easily accessible while, in the streets, tramways, car-sharing electric vehicles, gyropods and bicycles on bike paths would circulate. New mobility habits are gradually emerging along these lines.

All these vehicles could, for example, run on a road that absorbs 10-20% of the sun’s rays. The road surface could then carry this energy to the neighboring buildings to heat water. On the sidewalks, greenery would reclaim its rightful place and bring shade to temper the blazing sun during heatwaves. The roads would be used by soft mobility modes of transport as part of a sustainable development strategy. Ecomobility, to make it happen, you must first dream it a little!

Recipe #2: mixing ecomobility and electromobility over a low flame

Although the two notions are not equivalent, the solutions provided by ecomobility include those provided by electromobility. They range from car-sharing, to bicycles, to gyropods and all other sustainable means of locomotion. Ecomobility also addresses the issue of infrastructure that facilitates travel. It covers both the use of clean vehicles and everything that makes them work: electrical terminals, renewable sources of electricity, roadway design, etc.

Recipe #3: combine the three main ingredients of ecomobility

The present and future of ecomobility consist of three main pillars:

multimodality and intermodality

For ecomobility to be achievable, a diverse array of available modes of public transport is essential. No matter where they are, everyone should have access, at any time of the day or night, to one or more modes of transport adapted to his or her needs, i.e. to a multimodal offer. Intermodality, meanwhile, is about being able to use different modes of transport across a single zone or journey. These two complementary concepts serve as a basis for improving sustainable mobility options. Cities, as densely populated areas by definition, are logically the best positioned and act as laboratories for new forms of mobility.

shared clean vehicles

Multimodality and intermodality rely primarily on clean vehicles, that is, electric or electrified, and/or shared vehicles. These uses are made possible – and above all simplified to the extreme – by the omnipresence of connectivity. Free-floating, for example, offers an advantage in car-sharing: the vehicle can be left and picked up almost anywhere.

Mobilize, the Renault Group brand that sees mobility as more than just owning a vehicle, is positioning itself on these new forms of mobility. Its free-floating car-sharing service Zity by Mobilize, for example, is 100% electric and particularly well suited to city centres. And its Mobilize Share car rental and sharing solution meets a wide range of travel needs, as close as possible to inhabitants, and more often than not outside the major conurbations. 

new technologies

These days, ecomobility is also becoming a reality through mobile applications that connect humans to vehicles at the click of a button. And everything that has been imagined in science fiction literature could well become reality!

For example, Mobilize relies on a technological platform to offer mobility packages tailored to each user’s needs. They include the use of a vehicle and a set of associated services.  Mobilize Duo is not just an electric micro-vehicle for city traffic, Mobilize Bento is not just an electric mini-utility for delivering goods and services in urban areas … Each one is a connected interface between the user and the infrastructure, which opens up a thousand and one possibilities in terms of services to make mobility more fluid, optimise its cost and reduce its impact on the environment. 

Recipe n°4: invite the actors of the energy transition to share the table

Ultimately, everyone is an actor in ecomobility solutions. But to achieve this, public policies need to be followed up. According to a study by the Arcadis Group, Hong Kong is the most sustainable place in the world in terms of mobility, thanks in particular to its particularly efficient metro. In Europe, Vienna, Austria, is the model with a pedestrianised city centre and public transport that is mostly electric.

Car manufacturers are obviously in the forefront of designing electric and conected vehicle solutions that meet the challenges of ecomobility and sustainable mobility. So are all the companies that are innovating for clean individual or public transport. New brands are emerging that are rethinking the design of mobility beyond the car itself, to take into account all the points of contact between the user and his or her mobility.

Ecomobility therefore includes all the transport possibilities of each individual, each company, each community, to achieve another form of mobility, sustainable and soft. And this through innovations, public and private initiatives, and joint reflection between the various stakeholders.

 

Copyright : LeoPatrizi, Tramino, Elektronik-Zeit

ON THE SAME THEME

how design fiction impacts mobility

What can ‘design fiction’ tell us about mobility?

from space conquest to electric flying

A few years from now, electric-powered aerial cars may begin zipping through the air.

future mobility: on the road to greater inclusivity

mobilité inclusion mobilize
Posted on by Sébastien Besançon
REBOOT

future mobility: on the road to greater inclusivity

How do you design the mobility of the future without considering the question of inclusivity? From self-driving vehicles, to real-life assistance, to apps, a number of solutions are emerging that can help make transport more accessible to all. Here, we spotlight initiatives that are helping drive greater inclusivity in mobility.

  • connectivity
  • transport on demand

In France, according to the “Mobility and Lifestyles in 2020” survey carried out by the Forum Vies Mobiles, three out of four persons declare that they are constrained in their travel. This inequality can have terrible social consequences on a daily basis. And for good reason: 1 in 4 French people have already given up a job because of travel difficulties. But the players in the sector are redoubling their efforts to devise models that are accessible to all and – why not! – return to the initial promise of mobility: to move around freely.What’s at stake: a reduction of the societal consequences such inequalities can create, the removal of constraints across the country, and potential access to new markets.

REBOOT 1: the redesign of territorial transport

“The first, most urgent question is that of social and territorial divides, and ultimately that of the equity of France’s mobility offer,” says Valérie Dreyfuss, managing director of France’s Laboratoire de la Mobilité Inclusive (Inclusive Mobility Lab). Social fractures, at the heart of public space, highlight the role of local councils, and the question of how to best accompany them in the creation of new, more inclusive services. But making the transport offer more equitable often requires a redesign of infrastructure. One example is French transport operator Transdev, who’s working to offer those who are handicapped more solutions for getting around. These include redesigning stations and vehicle access ramps, building trams and buses with lower platforms, and improving signage as well as visual, audio, and tactile forms of communication.

REBOOT 2: assistance at the heart of the future of mobility

Is ‘travel companion’ set to become a bonafide future profession? If mobility is to move towards greater inclusivity, all signs point to handicap-oriented journey assistance becoming a crucial service across the country. An online platform called Mon Copilote (My Co-Pilot) is already leading the charge. They provide travel assistance to those with reduced mobility, whether for work, leisure, or for completing day-to-day tasks. The platform lets pilots and their co-pilots choose their mode of transport: car, train, plane, bus, metro, or even walking, and find someone to travel alongside them. Another startup founded by Charlotte de Vilmorin, Wheeliz, defines itself as ‘the Airbnb of accessible vehicles’ and lets individuals rent out handicap-accessible vehicles to those who need them.

REBOOT 3: the autonomous car as a car for disabled person?

With all the focus on their potential speed and reliability, it’s easy to forget that self-driving cars also have much to offer by way of inclusivity. Shelley Lin, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern University in the US is trying to revolutionise transport for the blind and visually-impaired using AI. It’s quite the challenge, requiring the system to analyse data in real time, and understand passenger behaviour and movement in order to provide the car with reliable instructions. In short, you’ll need to have two-way communication between the vehicle and its passengers, which can ultimately benefit everyone: “In an autonomous vehicle, sighted people are going to be highly distracted,” says Nicholas Giudice, a professor of spatial informatics at the University of Maine. “They aren’t going to be aware of their environment, much like a blind person will be, so in that instance, the types of things that we’re talking about could support them as well, which is a huge amount of people.”

The mobility of the future will have to account for questions of gender, handicap, age, and even the differences within regions, including their economic realities. Could the pandemic help speed up mobility’s transition to greater inclusivity? That’s certainly what the World Economic Forum is hoping for, which evokes the notion of universal mobility and relies on innovation, cooperation, and partnerships between the public and private sector to make future transport a reality for all, no exceptions.

 

Vincent Thobel, L’ADN journalist

L’ADN is the media on innovation that every day analyses the best concepts of the new economy on the web and in magazine format.

 

Copyrights: Unsplash – Joshua Hoehne, Unsplash – Robert Ruggiero

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from smart city to senseable city

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2040: WHAT IF DRIVING WERE MORE AFFORDABLE?

The prospect of a more affordable car seems counterintuitive. In 2022, fuel prices hit record highs, sparking protests in over 90 countries.

how design fiction impacts mobility

design fiction
Posted on by Sébastien Besançon
TOP PLAYER

how design fiction impacts mobility

What can ‘design fiction’ tell us about mobility? How can it help us anticipate our future mobility practices? Noémie Aubron, founder of the highly-successful newsletter La Mutante and expert consultant in innovation processes provides insight into the powers of low tech.

  • connectivity
  • design

To what areas does ‘design fiction’ apply in your work?

I try to articulate the scientific and the rational—almost like prospective studies—through things that are based more on intuition and paying attention to little hints of things to come: behaviours that may seem a bit strange in the present, but that hint at the future and that can fleshed out into a prospective scenario. To bring this material or vision to life, we tend to turn to slightly more artistic formats; that’s why you’ve got the term ‘design’ in ‘design fiction.’ Role play, art exhibits, magazine posters, fiction writing… the idea is to articulate things that until now, have never been articulated. Humans don’t change fundamentally; it’s the environment that evolves, and in this respect, the behavioural dimension is very important.

How do you choose between possibility and pure speculation?

That depends on the subject we want to address, as well as the audience, bearing in mind that the goal is to get you to experience something that will end up resonating with you. For certain audiences, an overly-speculative scenario just won’t work. In my work, I tend to gravitate towards things that are probable. I like to anchor my work in prospective scenarios that are more tried-and-tested.

What’s interesting is the ability to articulate things that we’ll experience in the long term through what can be done concretely.

Speculative work can be good for opening up minds, but it’s hard to tie it back to daily life, or even more so, for example, to a company’s road map. By basing things on what’s probable, it’s easier to envision something more realistic that may actually happen, and if you can take that seriously, you can be better prepared to face it.

What mobility-related ideas do you find most interesting?

There’s one subject in mobility that I find highly interesting, which is somewhat overdone and yet not completely resolved: automation systems. I think there’s still much more to be imagined in that area. I think that’s how technology works. But what about our practices? Another subject is mobility’s place in cities. The point of design fiction is to try and understand how we place a given practice within its context and within society at large. In designing urban mobility, these two things overlap, and there are many things we’ll need to invent that address how people live in urban settings—so, around how we get around.

Will future areas of exploration be more focused on mobility practices than on technology?

All our ways of living in relation to transport use are being turned so upside-down that the real vehicle of change may be humans rather than technology. The ways that people want to get around is becoming a big trend. It’s interesting to think that perhaps sociology has as much of a place in this question as technology does. Understanding people’s needs and desires is just as crucial as the development of new technologies.

néomie aubron
Noémie Aubron, specialist in innovation approaches

How might climate change impact our ideas around mobility?

Climate change is now something that shapes almost all future scenarios: we can’t push it aside. I do a lot of work on what’s known as ‘low tech’, which I believe is going to be a long-term trend. What’s striking is that when you dig deeper into ideas around mobility, you have this diverse variety of responses to climate change that range from very low-tech to very elaborate. And depending on the sociological lens or prospective scenario you’re looking at the question through, the answer won’t be at all the same, and even the practices around mobility will be very different. If you look at mobility through the lens of climate change, there are so many ideas that come up and just as many possibilities depending on prevailing sociological forces, thus bringing us back to this very sociological dimension of mobility.

Speaking of mobility, what other interesting ‘hints of things to come’ have you been able to identify?

To me, mobility is part of a much bigger subject. I see a lot of new practices—I think of mobility as a moment that becomes about more than just getting from point A to B. Mobility might become a kind of ‘bubble’ in which we do other things… And all this could be made possible by autonomous driving systems. The idea of mobility that’s paired with ‘concentration practices’ is a very interesting area to explore.

Is the future of mobility, especially urban mobility, also about anticipating the role different regions will play in energy distribution?

In terms of energy, I don’t know if we’re going to be able to get past our sociological barriers, but I’m convinced that in the future, people will choose to live in a given place based on its political orientation. Certain cities might want to develop shared resilient energy systems; perhaps there will be as many smaller utopias and ways of living as there are cities. I definitely see how we might have decentralised energy systems in cities where that would be important, while other cities might develop more technological solutions because their populations care more about that kind of thing.

We’ll invent new ways of being, but with local particularities.

The decentralisation of energy, the ability to decarbonise energy production and to put a kind of energetic autonomy in place… that’s a probable scenario, but not necessarily in all areas.

 

In a scenario in which autonomous systems become democratised, what might we be able to do onboard a self-driving vehicle in the future?

Work, of course—but vehicles might also become a space for leisure. A place where you can do karaoke, play board games, video games… I imagine space for parties, real spaces for entertainment where we’d spend time together with multiple people. Like a kind of reinvented Blablacar, but without drivers and where everyone travels together at the same time to play. The journey time would serve to create or reinforce social ties. For people with very busy schedules, autonomous systems could give us some space to breathe—where you could, say, give yourself a manicure. I envision a kind of ‘wellbeing bubble’ in which you can take time for yourself. The question here is how to turn travel time into free time for things we don’t have time to do. In terms of ideas, this opens up a vast field of possibilities and innovation.

What role might virtual reality play in these vehicles? Fulfil the promise of ‘travel within travel’?

For those who work, VR might allow you to feel like you’re at the office—or at least provide a space to concentrate in that would help you ignore what’s around you. We’ll no longer be getting into cars, but into another world. Virtual reality holds very great potential.

 

Interview by Sarah Sabsibo, L’ADN journalist

L’ADN is the media on innovation that every day analyses the best concepts of the new economy on the web and in magazine format.

 

Copyrights: Brice Coustillet, Ryoji Iwata – Unsplash

ON THE SAME THEME

from space conquest to electric flying

A few years from now, electric-powered aerial cars may begin zipping through the air.

ecomobility reinvents travel

Ecomobility touches on all mobility issues and lifestyles in this era of transition to clean energy.

smart charging, the perfect partner for the electric car!

recharge intelligente mobilize
Posted on by Sébastien Besançon
TIPS & TRICKS

smart charging, the perfect partner for the electric car!

Plug in your electric car and let it handle the rest of the process from there, thanks to smart charging. Mobilize, the Renault Group brand dedicated to new mobility and vehicle-related services, provides users with technologies that modulate recharging according to information sent in real time by the electrical network. What’s the point? To limit costs, favour low-carbon energies and promote the general balance of the electricity network.

  • connectivity
  • electric vehicle
  • energy transition

advantage n#1: Save money by scheduling your charging

The connectivity of Renault electric vehicles means that home charging can be started or stopped according to the tariffs applied by the electricity supplier or the availability of electricity on the network. Thus the driver need not worry about studying the potential changes in the rate over time to start charging: he simply plugs in his car and sets the desired end-of-charge time and charge level. Everything then happens out of sight and mind.

advantage n#2: Benefit from green electricity from your own electric car charging station

The benefits of smart charging are real at the individual level, but they also extend to the collective. For example, the car will activate charging when the network operators indicate a surplus of production, in particular when the sun hits the photovoltaic panels or the wind blows on the windmills. Conversely, it will interrupt charging when demand exceeds supply to avoid exacerbating the deficit, for example when everyone turns on their household appliances at the same time and renewable energy sources are less productive.

At the grid level, smart charging increases the share of green electricity in the energy mix because it encourages the use of energy sources that have the merit of being renewable and low-carbon, but the defect of being intermittent. As there is no need for a storage phase, smart charging makes full use of this electricity as soon as it is produced

Advantage n#3: Being rewarded for flexibility

Saving money is good, but making money is better! An application like Mobilize Smart Charge knows how to trigger or interrupt charging to maintain a balance, in real time, between the production and consumption of energy over the grid.

 

The driver plugs in his vehicle when he gets home, and programs his departure time with its associated charge level in the Mobilize Smart Charge app, easily and one time only. From there, the application takes over, recharging the vehicle based on the availability of electricity on the grid, while ensuring the desired level of operating range is reached.

 

In the Netherlands, France and Belgium, where the Mobilize Smart Charge application is available, drivers of Renault E-TECH electric models (Megane, ZOE, Twingo, and soon Kangoo) are paid for their contribution to the electrical grid’s balance. In other words, the flexibility they allow for when charging is rewarded. In some cases, the amount earned can reach the equivalent of a full recharge per month, and that’s just the beginning.

 

The next step? That would be bi-directional charging, which will allow an electric car to return part of the electricity stored in its battery to the grid. Whereas the current smart charging helps to absorb production peaks, reversibility of charging will help to not only relieve the grid during consumption peaks, but also to store renewable electricity produced locally to promote self-consumption. By acting as a temporary energy reserve, the electric car will become a real link in the electricity network.

advantage n#4: Operating in an ecosystem conducive to intelligent mobility and charging

As the European pioneer in the field of electric cars, Renault Group, through its Mobilize brand, has brought the main players of the energy world together to create conditions favourable to the democratisation of these technologies. Electricity suppliers, distribution or transportation networks, local communities, public authorities: all the stakeholders must be involved to meet the challenges of green mobility.

Several pilot programmes have demonstrated this strong commitment throughout Europe. Need an example? In Utrecht, in the Netherlands, a set of solar panels installed on the roofs of buildings supplies the energy for a fleet of 150 ZOEs made available to residents.

These full-scale tests are being conducted to measure the uses and refine the operation of the algorithms that will draw or inject energy into the grid as needed. Such technological advances will benefit as many people as possible in the future.

 

Copyrights: Renault Communication

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everything you need to know about shared car

comprendre autopartage mobilize
Posted on by Sébastien Besançon
TIPS & TRICKS

everything you need to know about shared car

The swelling popularity of electric mobility and carsharing brings the two trends ever closer, pioneering an entirely new way of getting around. Let’s take a closer look at the early stages of this double-pronged revolution. 

  • electric vehicle
  • shared mobility

Why do electric cars and carsharing go together so well? Regardless of country, the results are striking. Whether in Europe or elsewhere, their popularity is growing in unison and their association seems to be a win-win. One thing that is certain is that these innovative solutions are attractive to drivers who care about environmental issues. Whether it’s by sharing one vehicle or more or by switching to all-electric vehicles, these two solutions are both contributing significantly to more sustainable forms of transportation. But the common denominator between these two trends does not, in itself, explain the extent of their success.

step 1: The simultaneous rise of car-sharing and electric mobility

In the space of a decade, both carsharing services and the electric car sector have asserted themselves as major economic activities. One only needs to look at the figures. The car-sharing market in Europe currently generates about €3 million in annual profits, which will probably reach between €4 and 5 billion by 2030, according to McKinsey & Company. Meanwhile, according to research firm IHS Markit, by 2030 more than one in two cars sold will be electrified. These predictions signal a profound cultural shift in the way we get around.

step 2: The happy marriage of the shared car with the electric car

There are numerous factors driving this boom and highlighting why electric cars and carsharing naturally complement each other. The way we travel provides a preliminary explanation: we drive, most often, over short distances. In London, as in many major cities, 90% of car journeys are under 10 km; a self-service car, available on-demand and without prior reservation, is perfectly suited to that need. In such a context, an electric car has many advantages.

Simplicity of use due to on-board and off-board connectivity, driving pleasure due to immediately available torque, linear acceleration and, of course, the absence of engine noise… the electric vehicle has it all. As a shared vehicle, it has the added advantage of being able to recharge itself during periods of parking between two users: there is no need to “fill up” before returning it, as with a combustion engine vehicle! 

step 3: The freedom of car sharing without a subscription

Another important point is that a large proportion of electric car-sharing journeys could not be made with a combustion engine car. In air-quality-conscious metropolises such as London, Tokyo and Berlin, electric car-sharing services are developing rapidly. Zity by Mobilize, which offers free-floating Dacia Springs, has been operating in Madrid, Lyon and Milan. 

As for the Mobilize Share service, it is present in medium-sized cities and even in small towns in around ten countries. In Italy, for example, Mobilize Share, which started in Bergamo in 2021, now covers fifteen cities in the north, centre and south of the country. More than 250,000 green kilometres have been covered by users of the service. 

As a means of pooling vehicles and optimising resources, car-sharing services are increasingly used by companies for their employees. But some companies also see it as a way of providing an additional service to their customers. This is the case of Ikea France, which offers Mobilize Share vehicles in its car parks… in case your purchase is difficult to move by public transport or too big for your own car. 

This mobilisation of all the players to respond to the many challenges of mobility has had the effect of boosting the deployment of recharging infrastructures. The acceleration of shared mobility is therefore encouraging the development of electric mobility… and vice versa! 

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Zity by Mobilize, a model of carsharing in Europe

Since its launch nearly five years ago, Zity, a 100% electric self-service car-sharing service, has been demonstrating how this new form of mobility helps to ease traffic congestion and facilitate travel in cities.

car share – a key part of collaborative consumption

Born alongside the digital revolution, collaborative consumption is the implementation of an economic idea that advocates an end to the ownership of certain goods in favor of better, collective use. This model plays a particularly important role in automobile mobility in the form of carpooling.

Zity by Mobilize, a 100% electric car share

zity europe
Posted on by Sébastien Besançon
CHECK POINT

Zity by Mobilize, a 100% electric car share

Zity by Mobilize is an electric car-sharing service with no terminals or stations. It is a mobility solution that helps to reduce traffic congestion and encourages the use of more environmentally-friendly car share.

  • connectivity
  • electric vehicle
  • energy transition
  • shared mobility

Check 1: meeting the needs of major cities

Launched in 2017, Zity (renamed Zity by Mobilize in 2021) is a car-sharing service operating in 3 major European cities: Madrid and Milan. 

For major cities, such a service meets the travel needs of their residents with a solution that is accessible, environmentally friendly and complementary to existing transport services. 

To use the Zity by Mobilize service, all you have to do is download the free, dedicated application onto a smartphone to locate, reserve, open, lock and return a Dacia Spring, as well as pay for your journey. This ultra-flexible service is available without subscription. This ease of use is designed to encourage a shift from ownership to sharing, i.e. getting a vehicle when you really need it. 

https://www.mobilize.com/app/uploads/2022/10/50_zity_lifestyle__0098.jpg

Check 2: more restrictions on city centre access

In terms of new mobility in the centres of large cities, Madrid is a pioneer. With four operators in place by 2017, Madrid’s car-sharing offer is among the most advanced in Europe. It was a development pushed along by city policies like the “Madrid Central” plan adopted at the end of 2018, which encourages the use of public transport or lower-impact options, such as bicycles. By offering a 100% electric carsharing service, Zity by Mobilize gives the ability to drive in the heart of Madrid and in low-emission zones. 

https://www.mobilize.com/app/uploads/2022/10/50_zity_lifestyle__0098.jpg

Check 3: electric car sharing service, a trend in Europe

Electric carsharing is a means of relieving congestion in city centres, all while meeting the need to improve the quality of life in urban areas. 

As part of the Renault Group, a pioneer in electric vehicles in Europe, Mobilize sees mobility as a set of services designed around the vehicle and is involved in developing electric car-sharing services. 

Nearly 1,200 Dacia Spring are available for car sharing via Zity by Mobilize in Madrid and Milan. 

 

Copyrights: Renault Communication, iStock 

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everything you need to know about shared car

The swelling popularity of electric mobility and carsharing brings the two trends ever closer, pioneering an entirely new way of getting around. Let’s take a closer look at the early stages of this double-pronged revolution.

car share – a key part of collaborative consumption

Born alongside the digital revolution, collaborative consumption is the implementation of an economic idea that advocates an end to the ownership of certain goods in favor of better, collective use. This model plays a particularly important role in automobile mobility in the form of carpooling.

cost of electric cars: visible savings on the road

Posted on by Sébastien Besançon
LEVEL UP

cost of electric cars: visible savings on the road

With a market share of almost 12% in Europe1, it’s no exaggeration to say that electric cars are no longer the exception on our roads. Driving this success is a desire to move away from fossil fuels and reduce our energy consumption. Mobilize is aiming to transform our relationship with transport and promote the electric revolution. However, driving an electric car does not mean travelling for free. From different types of charging systems to eco-driving, vehicle autonomy and new on-board features, there are certain principles of electric cars that users should be aware of before getting behind the wheel. There is one issue that is key for drivers: to make the cost of an electric car profitable, how can they reduce the energy bill for their journeys? The answer in 3 steps.

  • electric vehicle
  • energy transition

★ ☆ ☆
electric motors: an economical and eco-friendly option

Impressive claims have been made about electric cars, but have they been proven on the road? In other words, what is the difference in cost per kilometer travelled between an electric and combustion engine car? It’s a valid question, but there are several answers.

First thing first, the vehicle’s carbon footprint. It’s difficult to compare internal combustion and electric vehicles without performing a comprehensive life cycle analysis, or knowing which source of electricity is being used. However, a study conducted by the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E) shows that, in all cases, electric vehicles come out on top, emitting three times less CO2 on average than their gasoline equivalents. In France, where energy is mainly produced from nuclear power, an electric car emits 77% less CO2. The percentage is 63% across all European Union countries, a pretty conclusive figure.

While emitting less CO2 is a positive step, it doesn’t mean that driving is less expensive. Once again, it’s difficult to generalize, as there are many important factors to consider, from the range of the vehicle to the distances driven and the length of use. Taking into account the energy cost per kilometer only, driving a car with an average-sized combustion engine costs about 8 euros per 100 km, whereas the price of the same trip in an electric car is no more than 3 euros. There’s simply no competition. Electric car 1, internal combustion car 0. This is one of the reasons why all the vehicles in the Mobilize range are 100% electric.

★ ★ ☆
eco-driving, reducing energy consumption behind the wheel

Regardless of the source of energy used, eco-driving is an active way of reducing your costs, increasing vehicle autonomy and reducing environmental impact. By adopting electric eco-driving habits, you can save precious kilowatts and, as a result, recharge your batteries less often.

The best rules to follow behind the wheel are the same as those for combustion engine vehicles: avoid sudden, energy-intensive bursts of acceleration and sharp braking, ensure your tires are properly inflated, and maintain a steady speed on the road as much as possible. These are all good practices to help save energy and drive safely. What’s more, driving at high speeds, i.e. above 100 km/h, tends to reduce electric vehicle autonomy. So, the key is to ease off the gas.

Electric vehicles have specifically-designed smart systems that help minimize consumption, such as preheating the interior of the vehicle when it’s connected to the charging station, which reduces energy consumption while driving. Another example is the “eco” driving mode available in most vehicles, including those produced by Renault Group, which optimizes engine performance in real time and can increase the vehicle’s range by up to 10%. When combined with eco-driving habits, these features can save a considerable amount of energy.

On a more technical note, regenerative braking is a mechanism which recovers the kinetic energy produced when a vehicle is braking or slowing down. In practical terms, the electric motor acts as a dynamo, generating an electric current that recharges the battery. This provides power to the vehicle and thus additional energy, which means more kilometers on the road and substantial savings after each journey. Combustion engine vehicles cannot really compete in this field.

★ ★ ★
the cost to charge an electric car: a significant advantage

Drivers often forget that saving energy while at the wheel is not just about the vehicle itself. Battery charging systems also have a major impact.

By opting for a private home charging system to recharge your batteries, whether installed at home or at work, you have more control over the charging time and, in particular, can choose the best time to hook up your car. Connected services like Mobilize Smart Charge automatically select the right time to charge your car when electricity is at its cheapest. So all you have to do is get behind the wheel and go.

When out on the road, the Mobilize Charge Pass service, via the MY Renault app, will give you the locations of charging stations, making up the largest network in Europe. In this way, you can determine charging costs in advance and plan your journey according to your budget.

It really is quite easy to save money when driving an electric car. However, it involves adopting various practices that, when combined, will increase your vehicle’s autonomy. All Mobilize services are designed to facilitate this eco-mobility approach, which ultimately promotes less energy-intensive travel for greater peace of mind.

 

1 ACEA
2 Transport & Environment

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the electric car range anxiety

The success of electric vehicles has prompted new questions about the automobile and mobility. Among them, range is the first thing drivers consider before choosing a car.

why Mobilize has made the all-electric choice

The way cars are perceived and used is being transformed with astounding speed! Driven by the awareness of ecological peril and by technological innovation, the moment has come for us to change the way we travel.

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the electric car range anxiety, what about it?

Posted on by Sébastien Besançon
TIPS & TRICKS

the electric car range anxiety, what about it?

The success of electric vehicles has prompted new questions about the automobile and mobility. Among them, range is the first thing drivers consider before choosing a car. New uses have also given rise to a new syndrome: range anxiety, i.e. the fear of not finding an available charging station before the vehicle slows down. This anxiety is closely linked to a lack of knowledge about electric vehicles. So relax, fasten your seat belt and start the car. In five points, we show you that there’s no need to stress out when driving an electric vehicle.

  • electric vehicle

1: Think of how you use your car every day

According to the International Energy Agency’s Global Electric Vehicles Outlook 2022*, the range of electric vehicles has grown by 65%, from 211 km in 2015 to 350 km in 2022, an increase of 139 km.
This is reassuring, especially in Europe, where it is estimated that 75% of drivers travel less than 50 km a day. Most daily trips are just a few kilometers.

2: Set up a home charging station

Stopping at a gas station is now a thing of the past.  Your vehicle is usually charged at home or the workplace.  This is a concrete way to control your range and costs.
It’s getting easier to set up home charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles. Mobilize Power Solutions gives you customized support when installing your equipment at home, with no surprises and at a fixed price, as soon as you purchase your electric car.   Using artificial intelligence, the Mobilize Smart Charge app optimizes your vehicle’s charging time based on off-peak rates and less carbon. It’s a win-win situation.

3: Drive economically

Range is also a matter of responsibility and behavior behind the wheel.
Whatever the kind of car, driving economically will add several kilometers. An electric vehicle’s range tends to decrease above the speed of 100/kph. To avoid this, press your car’s “eco” button to limit power consumption by optimizing the comfort and dynamism aspect.
What’s more, some features are found only in electric cars. For example, Renault’s electric vehicles can be heated before getting inside when they’re still plugged into the charging station, which relieves the battery and increases the range once on the road.

4: Trust connectivity to access a maximum of stations

The EU aims to install one million public charging stations by 2024 and three million by 2029, creating a dense, interoperable network that should quickly ease the fear of breaking down whatever the destination.
And if you’re impatient, the Mobilize Charge Pass app is already available, with access to over 260,000 charging stations in 25 European countries. Your smartphone displays a trip-planner showing the locations of the charging stations available on your route and compatible with your vehicle. The integrated badge lets you start charging straight away regardless of the station used, like a universal key, and to pay for the charge without needing to subscribe beforehand.

5: Adopt a perfect range of action through tailor-made mobility

Behind the search for smoother, more stress-free driving lies the idea of leaving the traditional model of vehicle ownership behind and using a vehicle geared to needs and contexts. The issue of range then becomes relative.
A small city car is enough for daily commutes. For business trips, think about car-sharing, especially in closed loops. Your quick hops into town can be done easily by free-floating, i.e. self-service car-sharing. And if you’re taking your family on vacation, a larger rental car would be readily available. Is this a dream? Not anymore.
Mobilize is the first mobility player to resolutely turn towards this notion of use by backing it up with services that can be activated to meet financing, insurance, maintenance, car sharing and charging needs. So you can enjoy the pleasure of electric driving without having to worry about running out of power.

 

* IEA, Number of available electric car models and driving range by type, 2015-2021

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