Utrecht has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable urban mobility with the launch of Europe’s first vehicle-to-grid (V2G) enabled car-sharing service.
This ambitious initiative, backed by Renault Group, We Drive Solar, MyWheels, and the City of Utrecht, aims to provide large-scale access to electric shared mobility while addressing the growing need for grid flexibility in renewable energy systems.
The Netherlands, a global frontrunner in solar and wind energy adoption, faces increasing pressure on its electricity grid. Utrecht, already one of Europe’s most advanced cities in renewable energy use, has 35% of its rooftops covered with solar panels.
This project leverages V2G technology to balance the city’s grid and integrate renewable energy more effectively, setting a new benchmark for urban mobility.
Under the agreement signed at the Dutch Embassy in Paris, the project will initially deploy a fleet of 500 Renault electric vehicles, starting with the Renault 5.
Operated by MyWheels, the largest car-sharing platform in the Netherlands, these vehicles will utilise Mobilize’s bi-directional charging technology, marking the first large-scale application of V2G in public infrastructure.
The V2G technology enables cars to charge during off-peak hours using clean energy and return power to the grid during peak demand, offering significant grid stabilisation benefits.
The fleet could eventually expand to include the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric, Mégane E-Tech Electric, and Scénic E-Tech Electric, showcasing Renault’s commitment to innovation and sustainable mobility solutions.
Revolutionising the Energy System
Each bi-directional vehicle contributes to balancing solar and wind energy, with 500 cars providing up to 10% of the required grid flexibility in the Utrecht region.
This transformative approach allows the vehicles to act as mobile energy hubs, reducing electricity costs for users and helping cities transition to zero-emission mobility systems.
We Drive Solar, a global leader in smart charging, will deploy its advanced bi-directional public AC chargers to enable seamless integration of V2G technology.
This infrastructure rollout, starting in Utrecht, will set a precedent for other cities looking to integrate renewable energy and mobility solutions.
By combining clean energy, smart charging, and car-sharing, this initiative positions MyWheels as a pioneer in sustainable mobility. The company’s integration of Renault’s advanced vehicles and Mobilize’s V2G technology offers a model for addressing urban challenges such as grid strain, air pollution, and traffic congestion.
This partnership highlights the power of public-private collaboration in advancing sustainable mobility. By integrating mobility and energy systems, Utrecht is not only addressing local challenges but also providing a scalable blueprint for other cities worldwide.
This project demonstrates that innovative partnerships can accelerate the transition to efficient, clean, and sustainable urban mobility solutions, positioning Utrecht as a global leader in the eMobility revolution.
