Honda is the first automaker to introduce a programme of this kind, and will roll out the programme to Honda Fit EV customers.
Electric vehicle customers typically plug in and charge their vehicles when they arrive home after work, but this early evening charge time is often when demand on the grid is highest and when electricity is the most expensive. Honda SmartCharge permits Fit (also known as Jazz) EV customers to charge when electricity demand is low and when the availability of renewable energy is high.
Using the vehicle telematics system and Enel X subsidiary eMotorWerks' JuiceNet software platform, Honda SmartCharge computes the best time to charge a vehicle from the electric grid, dynamically taking into account the driver's daily schedule, the amount of renewable energy being generated, and the amount of CO2 emitted from power plants on the grid.
By recording the customer's desired charging times, the system enables the vehicle to be fully charged when the customer needs it next without affecting their use of the vehicle. As the Demand Response Provider (DRP) for Honda SmartCharge, eMotorWerks interfaces with the California Independent System Operator to allow for real-time control via cloud-to-cloud communication, enabling EVs to participate in demand response events to support the grid.
“Honda SmartCharge is uniquely able to shift electric vehicle charging in real-time without impacting the customer,” said Steve Center, vice president, Connected and Environmental Business Development for American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
“We believe the programme will be a game changer with its ability to create new value for our customers, reduce demand on the grid during peak load times, and help contribute to our company's goal of reducing CO2 emissions.”
Honda will study the results of the beta programme among Fit EV customers, with an eye toward applying it to other electrified vehicles, including the Clarity Electric and Clarity Plug-in Hybrid. The Honda SmartCharge programme is available on Apple devices for select California customers, with plans to expand to other areas in the near future.
