SCALE press release: Fragmentation hinders large-scale rollout of V2G

On 24 and 25 November, leaders from the mobility, energy and policy sectors met in Utrecht for the SCALE project final event, concluding that Europe risks delaying mass deployment of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology unless regulatory gaps are urgently addressed.

Within SCALE, a strong consortium of 29 partners has tested and deployed smart and bidirectional charging solutions across Europe. The project found strong consumer openness to smart charging and V2G—provided systems are reliable, transparent and easy to use. SCALE also developed open-standards-based system architecture, tender requirements for cities, and extensive technical testing to support future business models.

 

Despite early market steps from OEMs such as Hyundai, Polestar and Renault, experts at the SCALE final event cautioned that progress could stall without harmonised rules ensuring interoperability, clear grid responsibilities, smart metering support and robust cybersecurity.

The consortium issued a clear call to EU policymakers: anchor open standards in legislation, clarify grid roles, eliminate double taxation on energy flows, and set a cybersecurity baseline to enable cities and operators to scale V2X today.

As the SCALE final event host, the city of Utrecht showcased how EVs can potentially act as decentralised “batteries on wheels” to ease grid congestion, but speakers emphasised that Europe-wide progress depends on continued testing, more V2G-capable vehicles and coordinated action.

 

The event followed the European Commission’s V2G Leaders Europe meeting, where SCALE’s outcomes were shared alongside other Horizon Europe V2X initiatives piloting smart and bidirectional charging in 20 countries.

You can red the full press release below.

SCALE-Press-release_-Fragmentation-hinders-large-scale-rollout-of-V2GDownload

 

SCALE relaunches its e-course for public authorities: now with a brand-new module!

SCALE is re-launching its comprehensive e-course designed specifically for public authorities. Coordinated by Rupprecht Consult, this four-module course equips participants with the essential knowledge, cutting-edge technologies, and strategic approaches needed to plan and implement efficient and sustainable smart charging infrastructure in cities and regions.

This updated edition includes a brand-new Unit 4, expanding the course content and offering fresh perspectives on global applications of smart and bi-directional charging (V2X).

What You’ll Learn

The SCALE e-course provides public authorities with a structured, in-depth learning experience covering:

  • The fundamentals of smart charging, V2G, and V2X technologies and their benefits for municipalities.
  • The role of EV users and behavioural factors in developing future-proof public charging infrastructure.
  • The EU policy landscape, including the AFIR regulation, and its implications for publicly accessible smart charging.
  • A clear breakdown of the smart charging and V2G value chain, including key stakeholders and services.
  • Insights into energy and mobility services from multiple stakeholder perspectives.
  • Different types of smart charging infrastructure: their advantages, use cases, and technical distinctions.
  • The connection between shared mobility and V2G, and best practices from leading cities.
  • Approaches to planning, designing, and procuring charging infrastructure, including joint procurement opportunities.
  • Guidance on funding models, ownership structures, and budget planning for charging networks.

NEW: Expanding Smart Charging and V2X Beyond Europe

The new Unit 4, titled “Expanding Smart Charging and V2X Beyond Europe,” invites policymakers, planners, and mobility innovators to explore how emerging markets can lead the global energy transition.
Participants will gain insights into:

  • Global communication standards and infrastructure requirements;
  • Policy frameworks and implementation strategies for non-EU contexts;
  • Solutions for grid instability, energy access, and affordability challenges;
  • How smart charging innovation can boost energy resilience, job creation, and sustainable mobility.

With a focus on practical applications and real-world examples, this self-paced online course offers an invaluable learning opportunity for local and regional authorities worldwide.

👉 Enroll now and discover how smarter charging leads to a smarter, more sustainable future.

🔗 Explore the course on mobility-academy.eu

SCALE Final Bidirectional Cities meeting: Register now!

On November 25, 2025, from 9:00 to 12:00, we are pleased to invite cities, regions, and local grid operators to join us in Utrecht for the 5th and final Bidirectional Cities Event focused showcasing some of the project’s achievements including the SCALE procurement guidelines for smart and bidirectional EV charging infrastructure and the SCALE Blueprint. This is also an opportunity for participants to share the needs and requirements from their own contexts, as well as to provide input and validation to our project outcomes.

Location:  Jaarbeurs, Jaarbeursplein, 3521 AL Utrecht

Agenda

9:00 – 9:15 Welcome and introduction (Pedro Gomes and Zsofia Jakoi, POLIS Network)

9:15 – 9:45 Presentation of the SCALE Guidelines for a Joint Procurement program (Gertjan Geurts, City of Utrecht) including Q&A

9:45 – 10:15 Presentation of the SCALE Blueprint (Shreesha Vaidhya, Rupprecht Consult) including Q&A

10:15 – 10:25 Coffee break

10:25 – 11:15 Exercise group focused on collecting inputs and validation from the participants

11:15 – 12:00 Site visit to one of Utrecht’s V2G electric car‑sharing stations

By joining, you will gain strategic and practical support for integrating V2G into your city’s public charging infrastructure. Whether you’re from a local authority or a grid operator, this event will provide you with the tools and network you need.

SCALE Joint Procurement Program: Why should you join our events?

  • Tailored Insights: Learn how to integrate V2G technology effectively with procurement guidelines, technical requirements, and real-world case studies from other cities.
  • Collaboration: Exchange knowledge and experiences with peers across Europe who are also responsible for public charging infrastructure.
  • Support: Access hands-on guidance and best practices to take the next steps in procurement of smart and V2G EV charging infrastructure, from technical specifications to lessons learned.

This event series is a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and explore the next steps your city or region can take to implement V2G solutions. Your feedback will help shape practical steps and guide the upscaling of smart and bidirectional charging in Europe. Let’s collaborate to make V2G a reality in your area. It will be facilitated by POLIS the City of Utrecht, a front runner on public V2G charging infrastructure!

Register HERE

Get to know the V2X cluster

The European landscape of mobility innovation has taken a decisive step forward with the launch of the V2X Cluster, a joint initiative uniting several Horizon Europe projects to advance vehicle-to-everything technologies. SCALE, alongside Drive2X, EV4EU, ePowerMove, FLOW, Neverflat, AHEAD and XL-Connect. This collaboration aims at ensuring that Europe leads in the deployment of interoperable, sustainable and user-centred solutions for electric and connected mobility.

The cluster reflects a shared recognition that the decarbonisation of transport requires more than advances in vehicle design alone. At the heart of the V2X vision is the capacity for vehicles to communicate directly with infrastructure, energy networks, and each other. By doing so, they can unlock a range of services that increase efficiency, safety, and resilience. The participating projects each bring a specific focus, from bidirectional charging and integration with renewable energy, to intelligent traffic flow and infrastructure-ready fast charging.

SCALE contributes expertise in smart charging and interoperability, ensuring that end-users are able to seamlessly connect across different systems and regions. Drive2X is developing large-scale demonstrations of vehicle-grid interaction, while EV4EU explores decentralised control strategies for electric vehicle fleets. ePowerMove is focusing on high-power charging solutions designed for widespread deployment, and FLOW implements user-centric V2X and smart charging solutions to optimize EV flexibility and grid integration. Neverflat brings battery innovation and advanced resilience technologies, AHEAD uses artificial intelligence to balance EV charging needs with grid capacity, and XL-Connect focuses on the integration of multiple communication standards into a coherent European framework.

Together, these projects embody the European Commission’s objective to build a holistic approach to electromobility and digitalisation. The cluster provides a framework for exchange, alignment, and joint dissemination of results and policy recommendations, ensuring that advances in one domain feed directly into progress in another. Beyond technical outcomes, the initiative seeks to engage with policymakers, industry stakeholders and civil society to accelerate adoption and remove barriers to large-scale roll-out.

The V2X Cluster addresses systemic challenges such as business models and consumer buy-in, interoperability, cybersecurity, data governance and standardisation. The cluster also recognises the importance of ensuring that innovation remains anchored in societal needs, from reducing emissions and congestion to improving quality of life in our cities and regions.

As the projects progress, the V2X Cluster will serve as a platform to share knowledge and showcase results across Europe and beyond. Joint events, publications and peer exchanges will highlight how coordinated research and innovation can deliver tangible impact. In doing so, the initiative seeks to demonstrate that Europe’s path towards climate neutrality is inseparable from its capacity to build integrated, intelligent, and sustainable mobility systems.

With SCALE’s active contribution, the V2X Cluster sets out a blueprint for collaboration that extends beyond individual projects. Our determination: to make connected and electric mobility not just a technological possibility but a convenient, user-friendly and reliable reality for all.

V2X ClusterDownload

SCALE Final Conference: Register now!

Registration is now open for the SCALE Final Conference, taking place on 24–25 November 2025 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. This two-day event marks the culmination of the project and will showcase SCALE’s results, lessons learned, and recommendations to support the mass deployment of electric vehicles through smart and bidirectional charging.

Since 2022, SCALE’s consortium of 29 partners has worked on the technical, organisational, economic, social, and policy aspects of smart charging and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) solutions across homes, public spaces, businesses, and depots. The Final Conference will bring together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss project outcomes, pilot use cases, and policy recommendations. Sessions will highlight the flexibility potential of EV batteries, explore how V2X can enable a more resilient grid and renewable integration, and outline the steps required for large-scale deployment.

The first day (24 November) will feature presentations of SCALE use cases, in-depth sessions on V2X opportunities, and debates on policy frameworks to enable mass adoption. The day will close with a networking cocktail and live demonstration.

On the morning of 25 November, the programme continues with optional visits and the Final SCALE Bidirectional Cities Event, where more details will be published shortly.

The conference takes place just ahead of the 2025 POLIS Conference, offering a unique opportunity for city representatives and stakeholders to align discussions on electromobility and urban policy. We look forward to welcoming you in Utrecht for this milestone event that celebrates SCALE’s achievements and charts the way forward for smart, interoperable, and bidirectional charging.

Register now!

Draft agenda

Day 1 (24 November):

Paushuize, Kromme Nieuwegracht 49 
Utrecht, 3512 HE
Netherlands

9:00 – 9:30 Registration and light buffet/coffee 
9:30 – 10:00 Welcome & opening Eva Oosters, Aldermann, Utrecht 
Eric Cerneaz, Project Coordinator 
10:00 – 10:30 The SCALE solutions to boost smart and V2G charging Baerte de Brey, ElaadNl 
10:30 – 11:30 V2X: solving the puzzle Panel discussion on V2X architecture and interoperability, from the technical perspective    Moderator:  
Matthijs Kok, City of Utrecht   
Panelists: 
– Jordan Sautreau, Trialog 
– Raphael Sahakian, Equigy 
– Gertjan Geurts and Athanasios Tamvakos, Utrecht & CERTH 
– Didier Bollen, GoodMoovs 
11:30 – 11:45 Coffee break 
11:45 – 12:00 Presenting the SCALE Use Cases, Round 1 Robin Berg, We Drive Solar  
Martin Uhrig, LVN 
12:00 – 13:00 V2X: Not just about charging! Panel discussion on the enabling conditions for V2X adoption in the EU and beyond – feasible businesses cases, and achieving consumer buy-in to enable mass-deployment Moderator:  
Raphael Heliot, E-Mobility Europe 
Panelists: 
– Alexandra, Elbil 
– Willem Christaens / Harm Weken, FIER 
RISE 
– Shruti Raje, UEMI 
– Shreesha Vaidhya, RC 
13:00 – 14:15 Lunch 
14:15 – 14:30  Presenting the SCALE Use Cases, Round 2 David Steen, Chalmers Zsolt Puja, DBH 
14:30 – 15:30   Plugging into the policy agenda / Recommendations to policymakers Panel discussion on the challenges and policies needed in the European, national, and local contexts to enable mass deployment. What actual and imagined barriers to mass market adoption were overcome and which still remain? Moderator:  
Harm Weken, FIER  
Panelists: 
– Baerte de Brey, ElaadNl 
– Karen Vancluysen, Secretary-General, POLIS Network 
– Chris Heron, Secretary-General, E-Mobility Europe  
– Andries de Brouwer, DG-ENER 
15:30– 15:45  Coffee break 
15:45 – 16:00 Presenting the SCALE Use Cases, Round 3 Enedis & CLEM EMS 
16:00 – 17:00 How to enable V2G mass deployment? Panel discussion with car manufacturers. How has SCALE impacted the technology readiness level and their views on different V2X use cases. How did they profit of SCALE? Moderator:  
Shreesha Vaidhya, Rupprecht Consult 
Panelists: 
– Joe Matta, Renault 
– Emanuella Wallin, Polestar 
– Christiaan Pielkenrood, Hyundai 
– Robin Berg, We Drive Solar 
– Mingchu Liu, ABB 
17:00 – 17:15 Presenting the SCALE Use Cases, Round 4 Current VDL 
17:15 – 17:30 Wrap up, Day 1 POLIS 
17:30 – 19:00 Walk around for WDS showcase + Networking Cocktail (in groups) 

Day 2 (25 November)

9:00 – 12:00 POLIS: Bidirectional Cities Event with city representatives + Demonstration of a bi-directional charger on the streets of Utrecht (Limited seats) Location: Jaarbeurs, Utrecht 
12:00 – 15:00 Site visit to ElaadNl Lab in Arnhem Folder-Testlab.pdf 
(SCALE consortium; light lunch will be offered on the bus) 
Location: Stichting ElaadNL, Arnhem Meeting Point at 12:00 – NLD Utrecht, Graadt van Roggenweg 400, Parking lot Jaarbeurs next to the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) https://maps.app.goo.gl/vu6ZZMf3bF1tgN4j6?g_st=am 

Register now!

Utrecht becomes Europe’s first city with a V2G electric car‑sharing service

Utrecht has become the first city in Europe to roll out a large-scale vehicle-to-grid (V2G) system, thanks to a groundbreaking collaboration between Renault Group, MyWheels, and We Drive Solar.

The initiative, Utrecht energized, marks the launch of Europe’s first V2G-enabled car-sharing network, integrating shared electric vehicles directly into the local energy grid.

Using cutting-edge bidirectional charging, electric vehicles (EVs) can store surplus solar energy and return it to the grid during peak demand periods. This helps stabilise the electricity network and keeps renewable energy both affordable and accessible. By merging shared mobility with V2G technology, the project eases pressure on the grid while accelerating the shift to sustainable, resilient urban mobility.

From pilot to reality

First announced in November 2024, the service is now fully operational, a major step forward for clean, shared transport in Europe. The rollout begins with 50 Renault 5 E-Tech EVs, available through MyWheels. Each vehicle is equipped with Mobilize’s bidirectional V2G technology, now being integrated into public infrastructure for the first time through We Drive Solar.

The goal is to scale to 500 V2G-enabled vehicles, which could provide up to 10% of the flexibility needed to balance energy supply and demand in the Utrecht region. These smart EVs charge when solar energy is abundant and discharge back into the grid during high-demand periods. With 35% of rooftops in Utrecht already fitted with solar panels, the system has strong potential. It also enables car-sharing fleets to generate income from vehicles parked and providing grid services, transforming cars into active players in the energy system.

Leading the way to a smarter energy future

The Netherlands is a global leader in renewable energy, and Utrecht is at the forefront of solar adoption. Yet as wind and solar power scale up, so too do the challenges of grid management. V2G offers a powerful, flexible solution, but real-world implementation requires supportive regulation.

Regulatory fragmentation – ranging from inconsistent tax rules and grid tariffs to differing parking and grid access regulations – remains a key barrier. The EU-funded SCALE project is addressing these issues head-on, with Utrecht’s demonstration activities playing a central role. To fully unlock the potential of V2G across Europe, a harmonised regulatory framework is essential. This includes clear rules on energy flows, fiscal incentives, adjusted grid fee structures, certification pathways, and support for smart meter deployment.

Collaboration for systemic change

This initiative underscores the power of public-private partnerships to bring innovative solutions to life. By combining EVs, clean energy, and V2G charging infrastructure, Utrecht is showing what’s possible when mobility and energy systems are designed to work together.

The result is more than just a car-sharing service: it is a blueprint for cities seeking to integrate mobility, sustainability, and energy resilience in the face of climate and urbanisation challenges.

Insights from SCALE’s 4th Bidirectional Cities Event on developing procurement guidelines for Smart and V2G Charging Infrastructure 

Last year, SCALE launched a series of events focused on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Implementation and Procurement, as part of a Joint Procurement Programme, specifically designed for those responsible for public charging infrastructure (destination charging) in cities and regions – from local authorities to grid operators. The first webinars at the end of 2024 gathered ten cities from around Europe with varying levels of experience in deploying smart and V2G/V2X charging infrastructure. By the third and fourth iterations, a total of 150 organisations are connected to these Bidirectional cities events.

Continue reading

New Technical Guidelines for Smart and Bidirectional Charging Infrastructure

European regulations such as AFIR, EPBD, and RED III require that charging infrastructure must be smart-controllable, especially for new charge points. Bidirectional charging, where vehicles can be charged and also return electricity to the grid, is strongly encouraged due to its potential to help balance the electricity system. However, a concrete translation into technical requirements has been missing until now. ElaadNL has taken the initiative and written Technical requirements for purchasing and operating smart and bidirectional charging infrastructure. These technical requirements usable throughout Europe, form part of the SCALE project’s Guidelines for procuring smart and bidirectional charging infrastructure.

These technical requirements summarize a minimal and uniform set of recommendations for purchasing and operating smart and bidirectional charging infrastructure. They compile references to existing standards and protocols with the aim to provide clarity to all stakeholders. It uses the current state of technology as a foundation to ensure the deployment of future-proof EV charging infrastructure in the coming years. Furthermore, the guidelines provide consumers with a concrete perspective for actively participating in the energy market.

Frank Geerts (Project Coordinator): “We are proud of this milestone. It is an important step toward harmonized and future-proof charging infrastructure in Europe. The broad input on the draft version shows there is strong support to jointly advance smart and sustainable charging.”

The requirements have been developed based on extensive practical experience from the European project SCALE, public tenders for charging infrastructure across Europe, and findings from the Elaad Testlab. A draft version has been shared with a broad group of European stakeholders, including charge point manufacturers, charge point operators, mobility service providers, grid operators, energy suppliers, flexibility service providers, electric vehicle manufacturers, software companies, municipalities and provinces, research and knowledge institutions, and consultancies.

Successor to the Smart Charging Requirements

The SCALE procurement guidelines, including these technical requirements, will be submitted to the EU Smart Energy Expert Group to support the European Commission in the development of additional legislation.  Smart and bidirectional charging makes the mobility transition more accessible to consumers, enhances the flexibility of the electricity system, and contributes to a stable, efficient, and sustainable energy system.

The guidelines have been developed as part of the European SCALE project and the Dutch program Smart Charging for All, which is part of the National Charging Infrastructure Agenda (NAL).

SCALE Insights – Technical requirements. Procurement guidelinesDownload

The technical requirements are available on the ElaadNL website:
 https://elaad.nl/en/requirements-smart-and-bidirectional-charging-infrastructure

These technical requirements form part of the SCALE project’s Guidelines for procuring smart and bidirectional charging infrastructure, available here: https://scale-horizon.eu/?jet_download=6431

The European project SCALE is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 101056874. More information: https://scale-horizon.eu

**https://www.agendalaadinfrastructuur.nl/ondersteuning+gemeenten/documenten+en+links/documenten+in+bibliotheek/handlerdownloadfiles.ashx?idnv=2378928

Save-the-date: SCALE Final Event in Utrecht on 24 & 25 November 2025

The SCALE project is thrilled to announce its Final Conference, set to take place on 24 and 25 November 2025, in Utrecht, the Netherlands. This landmark event will mark the culmination of our efforts over the course of our project, showcasing key innovations, impacts, and lessons learned to boost smart charging and facilitate the mass deployment of electric vehicles.

Since 2022, our Consortium of 29 partners has been working hard to address the technical, organisational, economic, social, and policy-related aspects of smart charging and interoperable and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) solutions for charging at home and in public, in businesses and in depots. At our Final Event in November, we are excited to bring together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across sectors for a comprehensive discussion on the outcomes and pilot use cases of the SCALE project. We will explore how our work connects to other ongoing initiatives, its implications for European, national, and local policy agendas, and its role in shaping a sustainable energy future. Together, we will delve into how the flexibility of EV batteries can be harnessed to optimize renewable energy usage, stabilize the electricity grid, and reduce the need for new infrastructure, paving the way for a cleaner, more efficient energy ecosystem.

We will meet on Monday, 24 November, and the morning of Tuesday, 25 November, just prior to the 2025 POLIS Conference. This creates an exciting opportunity for stakeholders, particularly city representatives, to join us for this important milestone and explore the future of electromobility. Stay tuned for more details on the conference agenda, registration, and speakers. We look forward to welcoming you to Utrecht for an inspiring Final Event that celebrates the SCALE project’s achievements and charts the way forward for smart and bidirectional charging.

Save the date – we hope to see you there!