Volkswagen's Elli & Otovo Partner for Home EV Charging

The future of mobility is becoming more sustainable and straightforward. Elli, the Volkswagen Group brand for charging and energy and Otovo, the leading European solar platform, have announced a strategic partnership. 

The joint goal is to offer a holistic solution combining clean solar energy with electric mobility. Elli and Otovo are creating a seamless ecosystem for sustainable mobility and energy, benefiting both the environment and consumers' wallets.

"To further advance electromobility, we must make the charging ecosystem more accessible and cost-effective for customers. Therefore, the partnership with Otovo is an important signal for the charging and energy business in Germany and Europe, especially for the intelligent integration of mobility and energy transition at home. We are very pleased about this important step and the pioneering cooperation," explains Giovanni Palazzo, CEO of Elli.

The green future of mobility: Solar power and electromobility in harmony

An electric car is only as green as its electricity, and solar power is currently one of the most cost-effective energy sources homeowners can use to achieve the mobility and energy transition at home. Combining solar energy and electromobility enables both companies to develop customised solutions for the growing electric vehicle market. A central aspect of this collaboration is the implementation of efficient PV surplus charging, where excess solar energy is directly used to charge EVs.

Commencing summer 2024

Volkswagen customers can purchase a PV system along with the new Elli Charger 2 through various Volkswagen Group sales channels and install it with an Otovo solar installer. The wallbox and solar storage are coordinated so consumers can charge their cars directly with PV surplus and save on charging costs. The vehicle can be charged at night with inexpensive grid electricity, while the solar power stored in the home battery is available for use the following morning.

Financial advantage

One of the key benefits of the partnership is the significant reduction in the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles through photovoltaic systems. It allows vehicle owners to produce the electricity they need, making them independent of price fluctuations.

"Through the cooperation with Elli, our solar solutions will be directly presented to buyers at the point of sale. The savings associated with PV systems will thus become immediately visible. The partnership enables us to directly demonstrate the benefits of our photovoltaic systems and significantly expand our market potential," adds Andreas Thorsheim, CEO and founder of Otovo. 

The combination of wallbox and PV systems offers consumers the potential to save up to 40% on charging costs. These financial savings and ecological benefits make the combination of solar energy and electromobility extremely attractive to consumers. 

The partnership is a clear sign of both companies' commitment to shaping the future of mobility sustainably and offering innovative solutions that meet consumers' needs.

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