How AES supports electrification by making electric car adoption easier

Emissions from passenger vehicles generate a large share of global greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to poor air quality in many urban cities. Switching to electric vehicles (EVs) is necessary to accelerate a cleaner energy future for everyone. The good news is the transition has already started. Many automotive companies are committed to eliminating sales of internal combustion vehicles and to make all vehicles electric in the future. Despite this, not everyone is ready to make the switch today due to the perception about the cost of driving electric vehicles and availability of charging stations. One AES company is working to address these challenges to make it easier for people to switch to EVs.

Motor[1], an AES Corporation (AES) subsidiary, is tapping into the huge opportunities that electric vehicles represent by offering an end-to-end consumer experience that makes it easier to start using electric cars in the United States.

For 40 years, AES has contributed to a green and smart energy future through the development of fundamental technological and commercial solutions. In Indianapolis, AES Indiana[2] established a partnership with Motor. Both companies are subsidiaries of AES and share the objective to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and deliver greener and smarter energy solutions that allow their customers to meet their sustainability objectives. In Indianapolis, Motor has already enlisted more than 100 customers so far — enough to raise the city’s new EV registrations by 20 percent in 2021.  Motor plans to bring these high adoption outcomes to other cities by partnering with their utilities. 

Motor is an independent electric mobility start-up that aims to bridge the gap between the demand for electric vehicles and the number of consumers that acquire them in the United States[3]. Motor was developed by the same team at AES behind Fluence[4], AES’ energy storage joint venture which recently achieved a historic milestone with an IPO valued at 6 billion dollars. Praveen Kathpal, now CEO of Motor, continues to work towards a future that is increasingly electrified and digital. Motor’s digital platform is in line with the objectives of AES[5], a global leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy storage.

Motor offers a range of mobility services that make switching to an electric car easy. For a monthly fee, Motor’s customers can enjoy an electric vehicle while Motor takes care of all the paperwork. Motor also makes charging convenient by getting chargers installed at customers’ home and workplaces. Motor also has developed all-electric-car sharing solutions for companies and multi-unit residential properties.

In addition to creating value for its customers, Motor creates value for the utility it partners with. Utilities benefit from customers that switch from petrol- and diesel-powered to electric vehicles as it means there is more demand for electricity. But unforeseen spikes in electricity consumption for charging could stress the grid. Motor uses managed charging programs that encourage charging at times when electricity is abundant. This way, Motor’s services also simplify decisions about the optimal time to charge your vehicle. 

Affordability and the lack of supporting charging infrastructure constitute the main barriers to increasing electric mobility. This is not only a challenge in the US but also in Europe where 70% of charging stations are located in just three Member States: the Netherlands, France and Germany.

As part of the broader Fit for 55 package, the European Commission has offered a range of proposals to incentivise the infrastructure and vehicle standards needed to transition to zero-emission vehicles and cleaner air. By 2035, all new passenger cars would need to have zero emissions, which effectively amounts to a ban on petrol- and diesel-powered cars and vans. The Commission’s proposals aim also to increase the availability of electric charging stations.

The Commission’s proposals seek to boost the adoption of electric vehicles for transportation. For now, Motor is only present in Indianapolis. But initiatives like Motor will contribute to a better uptake of electric vehicles by ensuring the availability of sufficient charging points and an easy transition for drivers. It is a clear example of how user-friendly and smart private sector initiatives can kickstart change, contribute to achieving public objectives and accelerating together a green energy future.

 

[1] Motor homepage website, Available at: https://motorev.net/

[2] AES Indiana homepage website, Available at: https://www.aesindiana.com/

[3] Want a new EV delivered to your house overnight?, Canary media article 2021, Available at: Want a new EV delivered to your house overnight? | Canary Media

[4] Fluence, Siemens and AES company website, Available at: https://fluenceenergy.com/

[5] AES Corporation homepage website, Available at: https://www.aes.com/