Renault Group, We Drive Solar and MyWheels join forces with the city of Utrecht to launch Europe's first V2G enabled car-sharing service

In response to the massive growth of renewable energy in the Netherlands, Renault Group, We Drive Solar, MyWheels and the City of Utrecht have joined forces to launch Europe's first large-scale car-sharing service utilizing Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology.

• Renault Group will supply 500 Renault 5 E-Tech electric equipped with Mobilize's V2G technology.
• We Drive Solar will provide and operate bidirectional charging stations.
• MyWheels, the leading car-sharing platform in the Netherlands, will operate the fleet.

Boulogne Billancourt – November 27, 2024:
​Utrecht is taking a bold step towards more sustainable mobility with this groundbreaking collaboration. This initiative aims to facilitate the large-scale availability of electric shared mobility while offering an innovative way to balance the city’s electric grid through bi-directional charging technology. The Netherlands has become a world leader in the roll-out of solar and wind energy, causing challenges on the electricity grid. Utrecht is one of the most advanced European cities in using renewable energy, with already 35% of all rooftops covered with solar panels. 

v.l.n.r Jan Versteeg, Nederlandse Ambassadeur, Eva Oosters, Wethouder Gemeente Utrecht, Angela van Hulst, netbeheerder Stedin, Matthieu Tenenbaum, COO Mobilize, Anouk Poelmann, CEO Renault Netherlands, Laurens van de Vijver, CEO MyWheels, Robin Berg, CEO We Drive Solar

​As part of the agreement signed yesterday at the Dutch embassy in Paris, the partners would deploy a fleet of 500 Renault electric vehicles in Utrecht, initially consisting of the iconic Renault 5. These vehicles, available through a car-sharing service operated by MyWheels, would utilize V2G bi-directional charging technology developed by Mobilize, Renault Group’s brand dedicated to new mobilities. This would mark the first time this technology is used to benefit public infrastructure. 500 bidirectional cars could provide 10% of the needed flexibility in Utrecht Region to balance solar- and wind energy for usage during peak-hours. 
The fleet could eventually feature the Renault 4 E-Tech electric, Megane E-Tech electric and Scenic E-Tech electric further demonstrating Renault Group’s commitment to sustainable mobility and innovation. Their compact design and advanced technology make them ideal for urban car-sharing programs in cities transitioning to more sustainable mobility solutions. The use of Mobilize’s V2G technology would represent a significant step forward, allowing We Drive Solar’s public infrastructure and services to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy system on a large scale.
Renault’s vehicles equipped with Mobilize's V2G technology would enable users to charge their vehicles with clean energy and feed power back into the grid during high demand. This not only reduces overall electricity costs but also helps stabilize the grid and further integrate renewable energy sources. We Drive Solar, an international leader in smart charging, would provide its advanced bidirectional charging solutions. Starting in Utrecht, all new bidirectional public AC chargers would be rolled-out to support the V2G access toolkit provided by Mobilize. Renault’s vehicles would be operated by MyWheels, the largest car-sharing company in the Netherlands. With this initiative, MyWheels would set a new standard for car-sharing services by integrating mobility and energy solutions to address modern urban challenges.      
This collaboration is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in driving the transition to more sustainable and efficient urban mobility solutions.

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About Renault Group 
Renault Group is at the forefront of a mobility that is reinventing itself. Strengthened by its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors, and its unique expertise in electrification, Renault Group comprises 4 complementary brands - Renault, Dacia, Alpine and Mobilize - offering sustainable and innovative mobility solutions to its customers. Established in more than 130 countries, the Group has sold 2.235 million vehicles in 2023. It employs more than 105,000 people who embody its Purpose every day, so that mobility brings people closer. 
Ready to pursue challenges both on the road and in competition, Renault Group is committed to an ambitious transformation that will generate value. This is centred on the development of new technologies and services, and a new range of even more competitive, balanced, and electrified vehicles. In line with environmental challenges, the Group’s ambition is to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040. 
More information: www.renaultgroup.com/en/

About We Drive Solar
We Drive Solar, based in the Netherlands, is a leading supplier of smart charging solutions to support a 100% renewable energy system. The company has been active in bidirectional charging solutions for 10 years and supplies AC bidirectional chargers to international customers. We Drive Solar has achieved several international firsts in the field of bidirectional charging in collaboration with car manufacturers such as Renault. Together with partners such as The Sharing Group, Koolen Industries, Stedin and Last Mile Solutions, We Drive Solar wants to make Utrecht the first bidirectional city in the world.
More information: wedrivesolar.com

About MyWheels
MyWheels is a sharing community with over 250,000 members, offering the most diverse selection of electric shared cars in the Netherlands. Together with our 800 volunteer Key Figures, we make it possible for everyone to enjoy cars in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way, without the need to own one. In this way, MyWheels creates more space on the streets, more space for green areas, and makes a significant contribution to the environment. MyWheels is also taking the next step in the energy transition with We Drive Solar. Residents in Utrecht are the first in the Netherlands to experience on a large scale the positive impact a "mobile neighborhood battery" can have.
More information: mywheels.nl/