Trio of automakers to partner on EV charging

ChargeScape partners BMW, Ford and Honda say they intend to “connect electric utilities, automakers and interested electric vehicle customers.”

ford ev charging
The automakers funding ChargeScape say it “will play a role in helping to decarbonize the grid” in part by seeking electricity “that comes from more readily available renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar.”
Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Co.

BMW Group, Ford Motor Co. and American Honda Motor Co. have announced the creation of ChargeScape LLC, which the trio of automakers says has the “aim to unlock the full potential of EV technology through conveniently managed energy services never before possible with gasoline-powered vehicles – benefiting EV customers, electric utilities and automakers.”

The companies are tying the ChargeScape effort to the Open Vehicle-Grid Integration Platform (OVGIP), which they call “a single platform that will seamlessly connect electric utilities, automakers and their interested EV customers to manage energy usage for a broad pool of EVs.”

BMW, Ford and Honda call ChargeScape “a new equally-owned company.” The finalization of the formation of ChargeScape is pending regulatory approvals, with the company expected to be operational early next year, say the partners.

The automakers say ChargeScape will “unlock entirely new value that EVs can provide to the electric grid, while enabling EV customers to earn financial benefits through a variety of managed charging and energy-sharing services never before possible with traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.”

ChargeScape’s platform will give electric utilities access to EV battery energy across a wide pool of EVs, say the automakers. “Participating EV customers will have the potential to earn financial benefits by charging at ‘grid-friendly’ times through flexible and managed schedules. Electric vehicle customers will also eventually have the opportunity for even more significant impact by sharing the energy stored in their EV batteries with the grid during times of peak demand through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications.”

To what extent the copper wiring market will get a boost from the effort is unclear. The company’s announcement does not make any direct mention of charging station installations, focusing instead on energy grid efficiency and vehicle data collection.

“The development of this project comes at a time when EV sales and infrastructure growth are ramping up quickly, bringing new opportunities to address challenges for the electric grid,” say BMW, Ford and Honda in their ChargeScape announcement, adding, “More EVs on the road means increased electricity demand on utilities to charge them.”

The automotive partners also say ChargeScape “will play a role in helping to decarbonize the grid” in part by seeking electricity “that comes from more readily available renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar.”

“ChargeScape aims to accelerate the expansion of smart charging and vehicle-to-everything solutions all over the country, while increasing customer benefits, supporting the stability of the grid and helping to maximize renewable energy usage,” says Thomas Ruemenapp, a vice president with BMW of North America LLC.

Comments Bill Crider, global head of charging and energy services for Ford, “ChargeScape will help accelerate the true potential of the EV revolution by providing significant benefits to both utilities and EV customers through smart vehicle-to-grid services.”

“As Honda seeks to achieve our global goal of carbon neutrality, we are counting on this platform to create new value for our customers by connecting EVs to electric utilities, strengthening grid resources and reducing CO2 emissions,” says Jay Joseph, vice president of sustainability and business development at American Honda Motor Co. Inc.

The three founding members say they welcome other automakers to be part of the ChargeScape effort “once the company is fully operational.”