To support the increasing demand for EV charging solutions, Honda introduces its domestic intelligent charging service – ‘e:PROGRESS’ - in the UK.
According to the company, e:PROGRESS is the most comprehensive and innovative home charging solution from an automotive manufacturer in Europe and the first energy management service launched in the region.
The connected charger and advanced intelligent software have been developed by smart charging and aggregation specialist, Moixa. The software sets a charging schedule to ensure the car is always adequately charged when needed based on the owner’s requirements while optimising the use of low-price clean energy. Customers can change their charging requirements at any time through the e:PROGRESS app.
Electricity is provided by Octopus Energy, with its UK-first dynamic tariff, Agile Octopus, a combined tariff for both the EV and home, which allows customers access to lower prices during renewable-heavy, off-peak periods. Moixa’s software selects the most cost-effective times to charge based on the tariff, which changes price as often as every 30 minutes in response to fluctuations in wholesale energy prices. This gives customers an estimated annual saving in charging costs of up to £475 per year compared to a standard flat tariff, while Octopus Energy guarantees that 100% of its electricity comes from renewable sources.
e:PROGRESS offers a seamless experience in setting up the service, guiding the customer through checking their eligibility online, switching to the dynamic tariff and subscribing to intelligent charging. British Gas carries out ordering and installation of the charger to ensure the highest-quality service nationwide, with ongoing after sales support.
The preferred connected charger for the service is the Honda Power Charger S+ (4G), which connects remotely to the system to schedule access to low-cost electricity. The charger has been designed to create more value in the future with further intelligent charging services interacting with the grid.
According to the vehicle maker, the e:PROGRESS will support active grid management to help stabilise demand and optimise the use of renewables. It also aligns with Honda’s 2030 Vision, part of which outlines the company’s ambition to create ‘new value’ by moving into areas other than mobility, including energy services.
Jørgen Pluym, General Manager of Honda’s Energy Solutions division, said, “Introducing e:PROGRESS to the market is a significant statement of Honda’s ambition in the provision of energy solutions as part of the continued move towards electrification and the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. This unique and innovative service, our first energy solution for Europe, gives Honda e customers a highly-advanced intelligent charging solution offering considerable cost savings, while our partner Octopus Energy guarantees that 100% of its electricity comes from renewable sources.”