Renault and EDF to Launch Home Smart Charging with Bidirectional EV Technology
The French automaker and energy giant are teaming up to offer home charging stations and smart management that let electric cars both draw and supply power, aiming to roll out services by summer 2027.
15 Oct 2026 0 reads Compiled with AI
Renault Group and French power company EDF have announced a partnership to broaden the use of smart charging for electric vehicles. The joint effort aims to make charging cheaper and to let drivers use the battery energy of their cars at home or feed it back to the grid. Both companies say the technology will help French consumers manage their electricity bills and support the country’s move toward lower‑carbon energy.
Under the agreement, Renault customers will be able to order a complete home charging solution through the company’s dealership network. The package will include installation of a charging unit by IZI by EDF and a smart charging management service that tells drivers when to charge or discharge. The partners expect the first roll‑out to start in summer 2027.
The launch will target single‑family homes and will be organized around three main areas. First, the distribution and installation of charging equipment will be handled by IZI and EDF services. Second, the company will offer services that simplify and optimise EV charging. Third, new applications will let battery energy power home appliances or return to the grid.
Bidirectional charging lets a compatible vehicle send electricity out of its battery instead of only drawing power. Vehicles that can do this can power household appliances (Vehicle‑to‑Home) or feed electricity back to the grid (Vehicle‑to‑Grid). The potential savings depend on electricity prices, the charger, the car, and any agreements between the customer and the grid.
The partnership covers electric models from Renault’s own brands, Renault, Alpine and Dacia. EDF says its technology will allow those cars to release some stored energy when they are plugged in. The wider goal is to use electric‑vehicle batteries as part of France’s growing energy system, giving more flexibility to the electricity network.
Renault’s Vice President of Customer Experience and Energy, Jérôme Faton, said the collaboration would help customers manage charging costs and unlock new opportunities from stored energy. Christelle Vives, President of EDF Business Services, highlighted the company’s experience with smart charging and the ability to support France’s domestic industrial ecosystem.