The Volkswagen Group brand Elli presented a significant product innovation for charging EVs. The new Elli Charger 2 is equipped with a wide range of services, enables significantly reduced charging costs, and is characterized by a perfectly coordinated ecosystem.
Volkswagen customers can now purchase their electric vehicle, charger, and electricity tariff in an easy and integrated manner from a single source. In the future, they will also be able to purchase a solar panel system via selected Volkswagen sales channels. As part of the product launch of the new charger, Elli announced a strategic partnership with the European solar panel provider Otovo to offer e-mobility customers holistic and innovative energy solutions for their home.
“To drive e-mobility, we have to make the charging experience simpler and significantly more cost-effective for customers. This is where the new Elli Charger 2 shines. It charges when solar energy is available and electricity prices are at their lowest. The smart charging functions not only provide real cost savings for customers but also represent a milestone in the use of renewable energy,” explains Giovanni Palazzo, CEO of Elli and SVP of Volkswagen Group Charging & Energy.
He refers to the possibility of the new Elli Charger 2 to incorporate a home’s solar energy production (solar surplus charging), as well as to use the new Volkswagen Naturstrom Flex (market price-optimized charging) to charge with lower electricity prices when demand is low or renewable energies are highly available. To achieve this, Elli already acquired the license to trade on the European Power Exchange in July 2023. By optimizing charging profiles based on electricity prices and charging from a home’s solar energy, charging costs can be reduced by up to 40 percent.
Elli designed and engineered the new charger with a clear focus on customer needs from across its 28 European markets. In addition to reducing charging costs, charging speed is a crucial purchasing factor. The new product has been equipped with a wide range of services to accommodate regional differences in home energy setups. The new Elli Charger 2 will be available in four versions (see table) and can charge any EV with a Type-2 charging port. Thanks to the new metering functions, the associated cost transparency and dynamic load management, the new Elli Charger 2 can not only be used in private households, but also within commercial settings.
Giovanni Palazzo added: “The Elli Charger 2 represents the pinnacle of quality and innovation. The connection to Volkswagen Group as a multi-brand corporation provides significant added value for us as a company, but above all it’s a huge advantage for our customers. They benefit from a charger that was meticulously engineered in collaboration with vehicle and mobility experts. Additionally, the ‘made in Germany’ label guarantees the domestic production. Powerful and smart charging products will drive Elli on its path to become one of the largest energy companies in Europe. They also will ensure the e-mobility’s success and the decarbonization of our society.
