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Category: electric vehicle

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

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

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how design fiction impacts mobility

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from space conquest to electric flying

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

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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connectivity working to support low-carbon mobility

To promote carbon neutrality, Mobilize is putting data at the service of mobility and energy.

5 tips for charging an electric vehicle more easily

The technology related to electric mobility may discourage private and public players who want to shift to carbon-neutral energy.

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

connectivity working to support low-carbon mobility and energy consumption

Mobilize is putting data at the service of mobility and energy.

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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Posted on by Sébastien Besançon
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connectivity working to support low-carbon mobility and energy consumption: Mobilize at your service

To promote carbon neutrality, Mobilize is putting data at the service of mobility and energy. Digital is everywhere, at the core of everyday apps and platforms for professionals. Here’s an explanation in figures!

  • connectivity
  • electric vehicle
  • energy transition
  • shared mobility

Individuals

with smart charging, you pay 15% less for your top-ups at home*

Currently available in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, Mobilize Smart Charge controls electric vehicle charging intelligently. This app also helps to keep the electrical grid balanced. It promotes the use of renewable energies by compensating for their intermittency. Budget wise, Mobilize Smart Charge also supports off-peak hours, with financial rewards for smart green electricity use.

Professionnals

instantly manage your vehicle fleet on the iCabbi digital platform!

Because it computes customer routes and driver availability in real time, iCabbi optimises fleet management for taxi and chauffeur-driven vehicle companies. A Mobilize partner since 2018, this Irish company uses the cloud to deliver an automated solution designed to meet the expectations of passengers, drivers and managers alike. A fleet performance analysis tool thanks to the data collected – iCabbi Insights – is also available.

Individuals

book your Zity car-sharing vehicle whenever you want!

Thanks to the Zity by Mobilize app available on Android and Apple store, you can rent an electric car whenever you want, at any time. Operational in Madrid, Lyon and Milan, Zity by Mobilize convinces its customers, the “Zityzens”, thanks to its ease of use and efficiency.

Professionnals

equip your vehicles and manage your fleet with glide.io!

With more than 6,700 vehicles already equipped with the glide.io technology in 150 projects across the globe, Mobilize subsidiary glide.io is targeting businesses, mobility operators and car rental companies who want to expand the use of car sharing through digital tools. The principle? To optimise car pools, glide.io is developing a technology that is compatible with all vehicle types. This 100% digital platform is linked to on-board units that monitor each vehicle in real time.

Individuals

travel light across Europe with Mobilize Charge Pass

The Mobilize Charge Pass app delivers access to a network of over 600,000 charge points across 25 European countries. It lets users locate the nearest recharging station with an available charge point compatible with their vehicle, shows the tariffs and displays the route to get there. Once the car is plugged in, a charging session can be started with Mobilize Charge Pass. Only a single payment card required for all charge point operators – no subscription. 

Individuals

for one hour’s vehicle rental in Ikea car parks

Can’t get your Ikea furniture into your car? Just download the Mobilize Share app to your smartphone and let it guide you. Mobilize rents a van, from 15 euros per hour, directly on Ikea car parks. The two brands are partnering to provide this service. With just a few clicks, a selfie and some information to provide (driving licence, etc.), users are done registering in 15 minutes max.  

Individuals

the number of vehicles already eligible for the battery certificate is constantly increasing!

Thanks to its technology based on driving and charging data provided by the electric vehicle’s Battery Management System (BMS), Mobilize launched the “battery certificate” in December 2021. This document attests to an electric vehicle battery’s remaining energy capacity. By February 2022, the battery certificate covered 175,000 cars and that figure is set to rise. Accessible from a smartphone and the internet, the certificate is aimed at users of vehicles from the Renault and Dacia electric E-TECH family (Megane, Zoe, Kangoo, Twingo and Spring). What’s the main benefit of this innovation? Increasing the residual value of used electric vehicles by reassuring the buyer about their battery capacity.

* Typical savings calculated on the basis of charging a Megane E- tech 100% electric (60 kWh) car in France from a mains socket under a “peak/off-peak” utility contract (with a difference of 2 cents between the two tariffs) through 100% use of the Mobilize Smart Charge service in off-peak hours only (based on a kWh tariff of 17 cents) and an annual consumption of 2,600 kWh (i.e. 20,000 km/year, or 43 full battery recharges).

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Posted on by teqsup
OPEN WORLD

from microwatts to big impact

  • electric vehicle
  • energy storage
  • energy transition

 

The battery is known for powering our electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. But did you know that these wonderful little objects can do much more than that? Did you know that batteries could be reborn, outside of vehicles, and bring energy to everyone?

Roch Drozdowski-Strehl, Managing Director of the Institut Photovoltaïque of Île-de-France, and Yasmine Assef, Performance Director of the Energy Department at Mobilize, take you on a journey to discover the immense potential of stationary storage!

Talk with Roch Drozdowski-Streh, CEO of the Institut Photovoltaïque of Île-de-France:

WE WILL TALK ABOUT MOBILITY BUT BEFORE THAT, ACCORDING TO YOU, WHERE ARE WE TODAY IN THE ENERGY TRANSITION?

First of all, thank you for your invitation. It would be useful indeed to begin our discussion by defining what the energy transition is. We are at a key moment in our history, and in the public debate on energy and climate, as we are defining our strategy to get out of fossil fuels. We aim to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 as per the Paris Agreement objectives.

This transformation away from fossil fuels must be completed in just three decades, and accelerated substantially by 2030. 2030 is an important milestone for Europe already, as it corresponds to a 55% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions versus the 1990 baseline.

It’s interesting to note one thing the International Energy Agency has been insisting on in its latest communications. In a context of rising global energy prices, the problems of the end of the world and the end of the month find a common response in the energy transition. In other words, moving away from fossil fuels is not just a climate imperative, it is also a matter of energy affordability and security of supply.

Which are the most promising innovations to sustain the energy transition?

Well there are different options to accomplish this transition, one of the latest studies on the subject was released in October 2021 by RTE, which is the company in charge of electricity transmission in France. Through broad consultation it explores the different ways to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050.

These different scenarios have common points: lower energy consumption, higher share of electricity, increasing use of renewable energies.

Innovation will be a powerful driver of this transformation – we will find it on many levels. We will find it upstream: as you said, the development of a decarbonised power generation with available technologies and the upcoming new generations, solar for instance.

We will find it downstream, find ways to foster energy sobriety to help us consume less and better. In the effort to electrify a growing number of uses, transportation for instance, to replace fossil fuels. Without forgetting the link between energy production and consumption. To name a few examples, parts of the networks will have to evolve in order to communicate more, electricity storage will be further developed, new means of controlling consumption will appear, some systems will have to adapt to the effects of climate change.

Could the development of renewable energies and the boom of electric cars affect or disrupt that connective network?

That’s a very good point, indeed one of the characteristics of renewable energies is that they are fluctuating. Take solar energy for instance: the amount of energy delivered to earth by the sun is gigantic – more than 8,000 times the world’s annual energy consumption. That said, a solar panel at night does not produce. Nor does a wind turbine if there is no wind. It is very different from other means of energy production, called controllable, which can be turned on when you want – say in the winter to produce heat, orduring the summer to produce cold.

So what should we do with this renewable energy that is delivered to us according to the weather rather than consumer demand? Well, in order of priority: first, use it of course, locally if there is a demand to serve. Second, move it in space, via the networks, if it is needed in a different place. Or third, move it in time, via energy storage, as this energy available now might be needed at another time.

Depending on the charging strategy, electric vehicles can thus be helping us increase the share of renewables in our consumption.

And maybe you believe in a virtuous circle. What could that virtuous circle be?

We have already talked about electrification: the development of electric mobility is one of the levers of the energy transition. Beyond that, the electric vehicles can become adaptive consumers in the face of a production whichdepends on the weather rather than demand. The driver becomes an actor in the energy transition by accepting that an algorithm adjusts the vehicle’s charging according to the availability of renewable energy.

We can go further, as the vehicle remains parked on average more than 90% of the time, if we imagine that it is capable of returning part of its energy to the grid when it is needed. The vehicle could then contribute even more to the supply/demand balance, which is so important for the electrical grid, by becoming what we could call a prosumer, a producer and consumer at the same time.

You mean the EV (electric vehicle) battery isn’t used just for running the car?

Exactly, in this scenario, the electric vehicle is a dynamic part of the energy system. It actively participates in the integration of carbon-free energy in our consumption, and reinforces the resilience of the electricity network. That is to say, it increases its capacity to deal with unforeseen events.

And for the batteries, what are the benefits to recycling them?

Well on that point, we need to place what we call circularity at the heart of technological development and innovation. We need to move away from an understanding of the world that assumes that what nature provides us with is available in unlimited quantities, and that is unconcerned with the type, quantities and fate of the waste we produce. We have 3 words to move in the right direction: reduce, reuse, recycle. Reduce: to reduce our consumption, the quantity of resources needed to make a product or service. Reuse: explore all avenues of recovery, find second lives for our products. Finally recycle: once the product is used, maximise its value as a raw material for other products.

Could you give us some examples of stationary storage usage?

Well from a network perspective, storage is an ideal flexible resource to support the energy transition. Currently, hydraulic storage with pump storage stations remains the most widely deployed technology. Having said that, one of the effects of the rise of electric mobility has been a considerable reduction in the price of batteries. Therefore, battery-based stationary storage has benefited from this and is developing rapidly. There are several use cases we can think of. It can be integrated into the grids to help stabilise fluctuating production. It can be part of a production unitto make the output of a solar or wind farm more predictable. It can also be placed behind the meter to lower the electricity bill or support the consumption of self-generated energy. In short, the energy storage function is an essential level of the energy transition.

Talk with Yasmine Assef, Performance Director of Mobilize’s Energy Department:

Roch just told us previously about energy storage in the electric vehicles, but let’s focus now on the stationary storage. Isn’t this quite counter-intuitive for a mobility object?

It is actually complementary. Batteries are of course designed first of all for mobility purposes and cars. However, we can imagine they remain in the car for 10 to 15 years for mobility and we consider that we can give them a “second life” and re-use them for other purposes for another 10 to 15 years. One of them is the energy stationary storage.

How does stationary energy storage work concretely, Yasmine?

Batteries are an equipment to store electricity and give it back when it is necessary. For example, we can store the electricity generated by wind turbines or solar panels when they are abundant. Instead of losing them, we can store them in the batteries and use them later when the wind is not blowing or the sun is not shining. This helps to integrate more renewables in the energy mix.

Depending on the number of batteries used, we will have smaller or bigger storages. So for a small number of batteries we can imagine portable storage, which can be used instead of old diesel generators. And you can also use more batteries for a bigger system that will work at national scale in relation to with the national power grid.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY MOBILIZE AND ITS PARTNERS, ADVANCED BATTERY STORAGE?

I was just saying that you can have big and small storage, so Advanced battery Storage is a big scale project connected to the national grid. This project consists of using EV battery packs, exactly the same as you have in a car. You just take them out, connect them together inside a maritime container, and plug it into the electricity Grid.  This system will provide electricity, help to stabilize the grid and thus increase the part of renewable energy.

There is a high environmental benefit because first of all, you will doublethe utilization period of the automotive battery. In that sense, we will reduce the carbon footprint of electric vehicles over their lifecycle. Second benefit, we increase the part of renewable energy in the grid and by way of consequence, reduce the part of fossil-based energies. That’s the goal of Advanced Battery Storage. These are big containers, and each contains between 30 to 50 batteries presenting 1MWh of electricity storage. This is approximately 3 months of consumption for a French household.

WHERE IS MOBILIZE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEM THAT TRANSFORMS ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES INTO STATIONARY ENERGY STORAGE?

Today, we do have 3 installations already. 2 are in operation for months, one in Douai, in Renault production plant and the other one in Germany, in a former coal-fired power station today shut down. It’s a real example of the changing going from coal to renewable energy. The third one is installed already in the Renault Refactory plant at Flins, where the ZOE cars are manufactured. This one is quite big, it represents 15MWh of storage. It will be in operation very soon. The Advanced Battery Storage full program will reach 70MWh, which will represent the biggest stationary storage installation based on EV batteries in Europe.

Does Mobilize aim to become an energy player?

Mobilize and Mobilize Energy is connecting the e-mobility sector to the energy sector. With the large number of electric vehicles coming to European roads, to give an example 15 million electric vehicles on the French roads in 2030, EV will represent a huge capacity. A huge capacity for virtual storage – not stationary but mobile, cars are running around – and this represents a substantial opportunity of additional business for Mobilize.

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Mobility is one of our most precious allies in achieving carbon neutrality. Mobilize is fully aware of this and has developed a range of services adapted to each need. The quicker our mobility habits evolve, the better the outcome for the climate. Still not sure? We’ll explain everything with some figures for back-up.

  • connectivity
  • electric vehicle
  • energy storage
  • energy transition
  • shared mobility

year of carbon neutrality

…for Renault Group in Europe particularly thanks to Mobilize. The new brand offers mobility solutions with reduced CO2 emissions: electric, of course, but also shared and multi-modal. Mobilize promotes renewable energies, circumventing the issue of their intermittence: green electricity is stocked in the battery, by the electric vehicle, as later in its second life. With fewer new cars and batteries needed, Mobilize reduces the carbon footprint and is part of a more circular economy.

100% electric vehicles dedicated to mobility services

Innovation plays a key role in the design of Mobilize vehicles, as well as in their marketing: their drivers only pay for what they use. The Limo sedan is the perfect taxi or ride-hailing vehicle; the compact Duo vehicle will suit shared mobility; with its storage compartment, Bento has been designed for transporting small objects; while the modular Hippo vehicle will be ideal for last mile delivery.

energy capacity of stationary storage

With its Advanced Battery Storage (ABS) system, Mobilize uses electric batteries, before and after their life in vehicles, to regulate the national grid frequency, so that it benefits from a maximum of green energy. Thanks to their storage capacity, the batteries contribute to matching fluctuations in renewable energy production with fluctuations in consumer demand.

carbon footprint of electric vehicles vs combustion vehicles

…on average in Europe: across its entire lifetime an electric vehicle emits almost 3 times less CO2 (-63%) than an internal combustion vehicle*. Even if its production requires more energy, the effect is drastically inversed once the car is on the road. To take it to the next level, Mobilize is going beyond the individual car pattern, in favour of electric vehicles destined to be leased with related services.

electricity circulation

Already today, with Mobilize smart charge, the vehicle smartly charges when electricity has the lowest carbon content. In the future, with V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technology, a vehicle could restore some of the energy of its battery to the grid to help it tackle peaks in consumption without needing to turn to carbon electricity production.

electrified vehicles shared via the Mobilize services

Only use a vehicle when you really need to? With developments in society and environmental challenges, car sharing is an innovative solution, which can be managed from your smartphone. Mobilize share is already available in a dozen countries to rent a car by the hour or by the day. Zity by Mobilize is a free-floating car-sharing system already well-known in Madrid and Paris, starting from one minute and without a time limit.

charging stations in Europe

… almost eight times more than six years ago! The fear of running out of power for lack of a recharging solution is dissipating and electromobility is taking off. In addition, with Mobilize charge pass, drivers of Renault electric or rechargeable hybrid vehicles can access the largest network of charging stations in Europe with just one card and no subscription.

equipping your company with charging stations is there a breeze

Fleets are becoming more and more electrified, for the benefit of the energy transition and without neglecting the economic aspect. To meet the needs of professionals, Mobilize power solutions handles the design, installation, use and maintenance of charging infrastructure in any type of business. This service maximises the efficiency of charging stations, without unnecessary over-investment.

modulable capacity of the 100% electric generator

The betterGen, developed by betteries with the support of Mobilize, replaces polluting generators. Made up of used battery modules from electric vehicles, it produces zero emissions, and is silent and modulable. It delivers 48V direct current or 220V alternating current. Its charging system even allows it to be adapted to a solar panel…

* Transport & Environment 2020

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