BMW, Ford, and Honda Join Forces to Create ChargeScape, a Company Focused on EV Grid Services Optimization

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 12, 2023 — Automotive giants BMW Group, Ford Motor Company, and American Honda Motor Co., Inc. have unveiled a groundbreaking collaboration to establish ChargeScape, LLC. This equally-owned company is set to create a unified, cost-effective platform aimed at connecting electric utilities, automakers, and enthusiastic EV customers. The objective is to revolutionize energy management in a way previously unattainable with conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, delivering a trifecta of benefits to EV users, electric utilities, and the automotive industry.

ChargeScape's mission is to empower EV customers with financial incentives through innovative grid services while concurrently reducing their personal carbon footprints and bolstering grid resiliency. This venture builds upon years of cross-industry research around the Open Vehicle-Grid Integration Platform (OVGIP), aiming to streamline the integration process and simplify interactions among the key stakeholders.

The platform developed by ChargeScape promises to eliminate the cumbersome need for individual integrations between various automotive brands and electric utilities. By providing electric utilities access to a wide pool of EV battery energy, participating customers stand to gain substantial financial rewards by adopting "grid-friendly" charging schedules. Additionally, the platform envisions a future where EV owners can contribute significantly to grid resiliency by sharing energy stored in their EV batteries during peak demand periods through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications.

One of ChargeScape's key objectives is to enable the intelligent use of plugged-in EV batteries by securely providing essential energy data to electric utilities and system operators. This includes aggregated demand response, aligning charging schedules with off-peak, cost-effective hours, and promoting the utilization of renewable energy sources. The efficiency of integration with participating automakers, coupled with high levels of anticipated EV customer enrollment, suggests that these energy services will deliver cost-effective operational advantages for electric utilities.

The collaboration comes at a pivotal moment as the electric vehicle market continues its rapid expansion, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the electric grid. As the number of EVs on the road surges, there is a corresponding increase in electricity demand from utilities to charge these vehicles. ChargeScape aims to address this issue by providing innovative energy management services that support grid resiliency and prepare for the future of V2G capabilities, benefiting EV customers and utilities alike.

Moreover, ChargeScape is poised to play a significant role in the ongoing efforts to decarbonize the grid. By utilizing electricity sourced from readily available renewable energy sources like wind and solar, the company aims to reduce EV customers' carbon emissions substantially. Importantly, while ChargeScape facilitates seamless integration between EV customers and utilities, the customers maintain control over their charging and energy decisions.

Thomas Ruemenapp, Vice President, Engineering at BMW of North America, LLC, emphasized the importance of grid reliability and sustainability in the electric vehicle landscape. He stated, "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. We're proud to be a founding member of ChargeScape and are looking forward to the opportunities this collaboration will create."

Bill Crider, global head of charging and energy services at Ford Motor Company, highlighted the benefits of electric vehicles for customers and grid resiliency, stating, "Electric vehicles are unlocking entirely new benefits for customers that can save them money while supporting grid resiliency and increase the use of clean, renewable energy. 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."

Jay Joseph, Vice President of Sustainability & Business Development at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., emphasized the company's commitment to carbon neutrality and the role of ChargeScape in achieving this goal. He said, "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."

One of the significant advantages of ChargeScape is its ability to streamline communication between automakers and EV customers, reducing marketing and outreach costs for utilities. Leveraging automaker telematics, ChargeScape intends to provide managed charge scheduling through vehicle connectivity, even for EVs without Wi-Fi-enabled charging stations.

The three founding members of ChargeScape invite other automakers to join this pioneering initiative, unlocking opportunities for grid service offerings once the company becomes fully operational.

As the electric vehicle market continues to evolve and expand, ChargeScape's innovative approach to grid optimization promises to benefit all stakeholders, ushering in a new era of sustainable and efficient electric mobility.