Launch of Japan's First EV Smart-charging Service Using Connected Technologies

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), MC Retail Energy Co., Ltd. (MC Retail Energy), Kaluza Japan and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) are pleased to announce our official commencement of an electric-vehicle (EV) smart-charging service leveraging connected technologies. The commercial viability of this business, which is the first of its kind in Japan¹, was verified during a proof of concept (PoC²) that began in February 2024. The objectives of the PoC were to refine both the level of service provided and precision of the app used by its customers.

 
■Features of this Service

This service makes it possible for owners of MMC's Outlander PHEVs³ to directly control the charging of their vehicles from an advanced energy software platform provided by Kaluza Japan via MMC's connected systems⁴. It offers customers a new EV-charging experience, as it can optimize charging in line with electricity prices. The service will be made available through subscriptions to MC Retail Energy's EV smart-charging plans for households.   

 

●Benefits to Customers:

・Daily Smart Charging

Simply by connecting their Outlander PHEVs to their home charging stations and using the smartphone app to set the time they intend to next use their vehicles, customers can instruct the system to automatically control when their vehicles are charged. They do not need to purchase any special equipment or follow any complicated procedures.

・Points System Based on Use of Controlled Charging (electricity discounts)

Some of the cost savings realized by using this service to optimize charging via MC Retail Energy's smart-charging plans will be returned to the customer in the form of electricity-bill discounts.

●Benefits to Society:

・Effective Use of Renewable Energies (renewables)

Electricity prices fluctuate based on power generation and demand, and they tend to be lower when a lot of electricity is generated by renewables. As this system factors those prices into the timing of its controlled EV charging, it will make an indirect contribution to using renewables more effectively.

・Efficient "Peak-hour" Shifts

By controlling charging, this service will also help to shift the hours of peak electricity loads to facilitate more efficient operation of Japan's energy grid, which will lessen the burden on society when costs are incurred in upgrading or expanding that infrastructure.

 

 

 

[Image of Peak Shifting]

■Companies' Roles

・MMC: Outlander PHEV sales and integration with connected systems.

・MC Retail Energy: Development and management of EV smart-charging plans.

・Kaluza Japan: External connections to EV smart-charging platform and smart energy optimisation through advanced software intelligence.

*Kaluza Japan is a joint venture between MC and UK-based Kaluza Ltd. It was established in August 2024. Kaluza Ltd. has already partnered with numerous automakers to offer similar services in Europe, a region at the forefront of global advances in green awareness, products and technologies. MC and Kaluza Ltd. have been productive and collaborative partners in expanding to the Japanese market, working together to adjust its technology to comply with the local requirements and characteristics of the market.

・MC: Coordination to realize PoC and commercialized service.

 

■About the EV Smart-charging Plans

・These are electricity plans that incorporate the smart-charging service and are available exclusively to Outlander PHEV owners.

・By subscribing to these plans, customers not only get basic discounts⁵ on their monthly electricity bills, but also accumulate points through their use of the controlled-charging system. They can then redeem those points for further electricity-cost reductions.   

・Among the plans on offer is the "EV Smart-Charging CO2-free Plan," through which only non-CO2-emitting energy sources are used to charge the EVs. This plan is eligible for the granting of Non-Fossil Certificates (documents used in Japan to certify the "environmental value" of electricity generated from non-fossil power sources, including renewable energy, that do not emit CO2).

・For more details, please see MC Retail Energy's website:
https://www.machi-ene.jp/plan/ev-smartcharge/

 

1. According to our companies' research on the use of car connected technologies in controlled charging services as of October 2024.

2. Press release issued by MC on February 15, 2024:

"PoC Launched to Test Smart-charging Service Using EV Connected Technologies"

3. Outlander PHEVs of model-year 2022 (released in December 2021) and later (type certification 5LA-GN0W equipped with connected functionality). This includes all G and P models regardless of model year, but only the M models that are equipped with the onboard communication system option.

4. Systems that use the Internet and wireless communications to transmit information from the vehicles to devices or services. They enable users and service providers to gather real-time data on the vehicles and control their use remotely.

5. Compared to the standard plans of local electric power companies (the utilities).

 

[About Our Companies]

■ Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Head Office:             1-21, Shibaura 3 chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Representative:       Takao Kato, President & CEO

Operations:             Development, production, sales and financing of automobiles and auto parts.

Web Site (Global): https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/

 

■ MC Retail Energy Co., Ltd.

Head Office:             3-4-1 Shin Kokusai Building (6F), Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative:       Kohei Tanaka, President & CEO

Operations:              Retail sales of electricity

Web Site (Japan):    https://www.retailenergy.co.jp/

 

■ Kaluza Japan

Head Office:            3-2-2 Marunouchi, Nijubashi Building (2F), Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative:      Seiya Konagaya, CEO

Operations:           Planning, development, sales and maintenance of Innovative EV product and energy optimisation through advanced software intelligence.

 

■ Mitsubishi Corporation

Head Office:             2-3-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative:       Katsuya Nakanishi, President & CEO

Operations:              MC engages in a wide range of businesses spanning multiple industries and overseen by its eight business groups: Environmental Energy, Material Solutions, Mineral Resources, Urban Development & Infrastructure, Mobility, Food Industry, S.L.C. (Smart-Life Creation) and Power Solution.

Web Site (Global):   https://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/

 

Based on the Three Corporate Principles, which serve as MC’s core philosophy, MC has continued to grow together with society by contributing to the sustainable development of society through its business activities while pursuing value creation. MC’s revised “Materiality” was announced in Midterm Corporate Strategy 2024 as a set of crucial societal issues that MC will prioritize through its business activities, towards the strategy’s goal of continuous creation of MC Shared Value (MCSV). Guided by this Materiality, MC will continue to strengthen its efforts towards sustainable corporate growth. Out of the six material issues relating to “Realizing a Carbon Neutral Society and Striving to Enrich Society Both Materially and Spiritually”, this project’s activities particularly support “Contributing to Decarbonized Societies” and “Utilizing Innovation to Address Societal Needs”.