Volkswagen’s EV charging unit Elli has joined forces with Norway’s Otovo to introduce Huawei equipment, enabling customers to link their cars with solar and storage systems at home, ultimately reducing power expenses. This collaboration signifies Volkswagen’s latest foray into the energy sector, complementing its existing offerings such as wallboxes, power tariffs, and access to over 700,000 public charging points across Europe.
Founded in 2016, Norway’s Otovo operates as a marketplace where homeowners across 13 European markets can procure and install various equipment, including solar panels and batteries. The partnership aims to enhance Elli’s services associated with its new wallbox while expanding Otovo’s reach to the customer base of Europe’s largest carmaker, according to the chief executives of both companies.
Elli CEO Giovanni Palazzo highlighted Otovo’s extensive presence, covering a significant portion of the European EV market, thus presenting a strategic opportunity for collaboration. By integrating Huawei inverters and battery storage systems into their offerings, the partnership seeks to create an ecosystem for EV drivers, allowing vehicles to draw power directly from home installations, including rooftop solar panels.
The joint effort estimates potential cost savings of up to 40% in charging electric vehicles by combining wallboxes and photovoltaic systems. This collaboration comes amidst a slowdown in EV demand, prompting major European carmakers to adjust expansion plans. Nonetheless, both Palazzo and Otovo’s CEO, Andreas Thorsheim, believe that this is a crucial time to accelerate growth in the EV market.
Thorsheim emphasised the importance of staying proactive in the rapidly evolving EV landscape, highlighting the need to remain competitive and innovative to avoid falling behind in the market.