MyWheels brings bidirectional charging to carshing in Eindhoven

Dutch carsharing company MyWheels is rolling out another 50 bidirectional charging units – this time in Eindhoven. The electric cars are then able to fulfil a grid-stabilising function, absorbing excess solar energy from the grid and using it to charge electric car sharing vehicles.

Niederlande utrecht energized renault mywheels bidirektionales laden — Image: Sebastian Schaal

MyWheels and We Drive Solar already launched their bidirectional charging pilots in Utrecht in the Netherlands, earlier this year. Now Eindhoven is following suit, and MyWheels will begin informing residents living near the first 14 locations about the bidirectional charging stations with shared electric cars that will be installed in their neighbourhood.

Bidirectional charging serves a particularly important function in the Netherlands, a country in which so many residents opted for rooftop solar that local grids have trouble coping with the extra energy. Now, with the second rollout of bidirectional charging, this excess daytime energy can be stored in the batteries of electric cars, making car charging cheaper while stabilising the grid.

Alderman Robert Strijk (Mobility) explains: “With this pilot, we are focusing on smart technology that contributes to both reliable shared mobility and a stable energy grid. Bidirectional shared cars help us to make the city more liveable and sustainable, which is exactly what we stand for in Eindhoven.”

Earlier this year, we talked to the CEO of We Drive Solar, Robin Berg. We Drive Solar collaborates with MyWheels and Renault to bring electric carsharing and renewable energy storage to Dutch residents. Feeding energy into and out of the grid with electric cars from MyWheels should be up and running in Eindhoven by the end of 2025.

ioplus.nl/