Designing the recharging units of the future

This experimental project will enable EDF to test various operational recharging solutions. Cars now offer an increasing number of services to both drivers and passengers (screen, on-board electronics, communication and navigation systems, etc.). With this same prospect of interactivity and services offered to users, EDF is promoting communicating recharge unit systems. With interactive communication secured via 3G modem, the charge points will connect to a centralized management system. This system will identify, the status of recharging units and manage maintenance work. Vehicle recharging data will also be collected by the system throughout the experimentation period.

In accordance with the scope of the project, over 150 recharge points will be dedicated to the experiment: around thirty recharge points on roads and in public car parks with others being installed on the car parks of partner businesses and at user homes.

Preparing the solutions of tomorrow

EDF group, European leader in low-carbon energy, is strongly committed to promotion of the electric vehicle, working with its customers to establish sustainable travel modes that contribute to CO2 reduction targets.

The arrival of electric travel means developing increasingly efficient and reliable batteries, as well as the deployment of a practical recharging infrastructure installed at user homes and business sites.

Over the next 3 years these experiments will provide a technological, behavioral and economic observatory of the first order. EDF hopes to obtain significant insights during the course of the tests, which include:

• the study of user behavior and habits;
• the validation of the correct balance between autonomy, journeys made and recharging methods;
• the recording of user expectations and potential stumbling blocks which could prove of concern;
• an identification of future improvements in terms of recharging and infrastructure;
• producing a model of the financial and ecological benefits.