Renault Group and French energy giant EDF are joining forces to expand smart charging solutions for electric vehicles, with a focus on bidirectional charging technology designed to reduce charging costs and make better use of stored battery energy.
The partnership also involves EDF subsidiaries IZI by EDF and Dreev. Together, the companies aim to make electric mobility more affordable and convenient for private customers in France while supporting the country’s energy transition and energy independence.
The planned offering will combine home charging station installation with an intelligent charging management service, allowing customers to optimize when and how their electric vehicles charge. The partners expect the solutions to begin rolling out by summer 2027.
Under the agreement, Renault Group customers will be able to access a complete home charging solution through Renault’s dealership network. The package will include the installation of a home charging station handled by IZI by EDF and a smart charging management service designed to help optimize electricity consumption.
The initiative will initially focus on single-family homes and cover three main areas: the distribution and installation of charging equipment, services that simplify and optimize EV charging, and new applications that allow electricity stored in vehicle batteries to be used at home or returned to the grid.
The companies plan to refine these services ahead of their market launch, with the aim of making advanced charging technology easier for drivers to adopt.
Bidirectional charging allows compatible electric vehicles to send electricity out of their batteries rather than simply drawing power from the grid. Depending on the vehicle, charging equipment and energy management system, this electricity can be used to power household appliances or supplied back to the electricity network.
Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) technology enables an EV to supply electricity to a home, while Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology allows energy to flow back into the wider electricity grid. Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) is a broader term covering different applications in which an electric vehicle exchanges energy with external systems.
For EV owners, these technologies could offer opportunities to reduce electricity costs by charging when electricity is cheaper and using stored energy when it is more valuable. Grid-connected bidirectional charging could also provide additional financial benefits where local regulations, electricity tariffs and energy service agreements support them.
However, the actual savings will depend on electricity prices, charging equipment, vehicle compatibility and the terms of the service. Battery use, conversion losses and household energy needs will also influence the financial benefits.
Renault and EDF intend to combine these capabilities with smart charging management to help customers make more efficient use of their vehicles’ batteries without compromising everyday driving needs.
Renault, Alpine and Dacia EVs at the Center of the Partnership
The collaboration covers electric vehicles from Renault Group’s Renault, Alpine and Dacia brands. The companies are developing technologies that will enable compatible vehicles to return some of their stored electricity when connected to suitable charging equipment.
Beyond individual households, the technology could help improve how electricity demand is managed as more electric vehicles enter the market. Smart charging can shift consumption toward periods when electricity is cheaper or more readily available, while bidirectional systems can potentially provide additional flexibility to the grid.
For France, the wider objective is to connect the growth of electric mobility with a more efficient and resilient energy system. Making EV batteries part of that system could create new opportunities for consumers and energy providers alike.
Compatibility will remain an important consideration, as not every electric vehicle or home charger supports bidirectional charging. The precise vehicles, equipment and service conditions covered by the commercial offering will be important details to watch as the launch approaches.
Renault and EDF See Energy Savings as a Key EV Benefit
Renault Group and EDF say the partnership is intended to address two major concerns for French consumers: the cost of living and the transition to lower-carbon energy.
Jérôme Faton, Renault Group’s Vice President of Customer Experience and Energy, said the collaboration would help customers better manage charging costs and create new opportunities to benefit from the energy stored in their vehicles.
Christelle Vives, President of EDF Business Services, highlighted EDF’s experience in smart charging solutions. According to the company, its subsidiary Dreev already provides such solutions to more than 100,000 customers across France and Europe.
The partners also expect the agreement to support France’s domestic industrial ecosystem by combining automotive expertise with energy technology and services.
