Nissan to Invest in ChargeScape’s Electric Vehicle-grid Integration

On October 7, Nissan announced that it will invest in ChargeScape, a joint venture created by BMW, Ford, and Honda with a focus on electric vehicle (EV)-grid integration. Nissan’s investment will grant the company an equal 25% stake in ChargeScape, making it a partner alongside the other three automakers. This collaboration aims to enhance the integration of electric vehicles with the power grid, offering a more seamless experience for EV drivers.

Once the transaction is finalized, Nissan plans to introduce ChargeScape’s services to its EV drivers across the U.S. and Canada. This move will likely benefit Nissan’s EV users by enabling them to access ChargeScape’s technology, which supports optimizing EV charging and possibly providing energy back to the grid during peak demand periods, thus creating a more efficient and resilient energy system.

Last month, BMW, Ford, and Honda officially launched ChargeScape, a platform designed to improve electric vehicle-grid integration through advanced software solutions. The platform wirelessly connects to electric vehicles (EVs), allowing real-time management of energy flow. ChargeScape’s system helps to balance grid demand by offering smart charging (V1G), which temporarily reduces charging during peak times, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which enables energy stored in EV batteries to be sent back to the grid during critical periods.

By creating a single platform for automakers, utilities, and customers, ChargeScape simplifies the complexities of integrating EVs with the power grid. This integration not only benefits the grid but also unlocks financial opportunities for EV drivers. Participants can earn financial incentives by opting into managed charging programs, temporarily pausing their charging during peak demand times, or eventually exporting energy back to the grid through V2G services. This ability helps utilities avoid relying on expensive, high-carbon-emission power sources, such as “peaker plants,” when the grid is stressed.

Nissan’s incorporation into ChargeScape is particularly noteworthy due to the company’s strong legacy with EV technology. Having sold over 650,000 LEAF models in the U.S., Nissan has experience with vehicles capable of bidirectional charging—one of the first manufacturers to enable V2G technology. Nissan is also making significant investments in expanding bidirectional charging (V2X) capabilities across its entire global EV fleet. As ChargeScape builds virtual power plants in key markets like California and Texas, Nissan’s involvement will accelerate the adoption of vehicle-grid integration solutions for EV drivers, especially as they roll out ChargeScape’s services in North America.

In the third quarter of 2024, Nissan sold 4,514 Leaf EVs in the U.S., marking an impressive 187.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023. In August 2024, Nissan approved the Fermata Energy FE-20 bidirectional charger for use with the Nissan Leaf.

This partnership underscores the growing importance of vehicle-grid integration as automakers and utilities collaborate to create more resilient and sustainable energy ecosystems.

“ChargeScape helps us more conveniently and effectively connect utilities to EV drivers, making the ownership experience more valuable for drivers by giving them incentives for participating in managed charging and vehicle-to-grid programs,” said Kent O’Hara, president of Nissan’s 4R battery business. “Joining ChargeScape helps us contribute to a nationwide reduction in CO2 emissions by enabling utilities to use EV battery energy storage to balance peak grid demands, while optimizing the use of renewable electricity sources.”

Following the official launch of ChargeScape, BMW, Ford, and Honda announced the appointment of Joseph Vellone as the first CEO of ChargeScape in September. Vellone brings with him 15 years of experience in the energy and climate sectors, making him a well-suited leader to guide the venture as it seeks to revolutionize electric vehicle (EV)-grid integration.

Before joining ChargeScape, Vellone played a key role at ev.energy, a software start-up specializing in EV charging solutions. As part of the founding team, he successfully launched and expanded the company’s North American operations, securing partnerships with over a dozen utilities and connecting 150,000 EVs to the platform. His experience in growing a tech-driven business within the EV sector and his deep understanding of energy infrastructure will be vital as ChargeScape develops and rolls out its innovative platform to streamline vehicle-to-grid technology and smart charging across North America.

“We are delighted to welcome Nissan to the ChargeScape joint venture,” said Joseph Vellone, ChargeScape CEO. “Nissan’s decision to join us underscores their commitment to helping customers charge more cheaply and sustainably and highlights ChargeScape’s central position in the vehicle-grid integration space.”