Honda has today announced a collaboration with Vattenfall, a leading European energy supplier, to provide a flexible electricity tariff specifically tailored for electric vehicle owners in Europe. The partnership marks a key milestone for Honda in the development of its energy management business that represent an important pillar of its ‘Electric Vision’ strategy in Europe.

In a letter of intent signed today, the two companies confirmed their intentions to jointly develop and market a flexible electricity tariff that will allow EVs to be charged at the most cost-effective times, relative to grid demand. The tariffs – available to owners of any brand of electric vehicle– also promote the use of electricity generated through renewable sources including hydropower and wind farms, realising Honda’s vision for sustainable future energy supply.

This service will initially be available in UK and Germany in 2020, with other European countries to follow.

Vattenfall will also oversee the installation of Honda Power Charger domestic charge points, through preferred contractors in both the UK and Germany. The system consists of a charging unit that can be wall or pedestal mounted, with a maximum output of 7.4kW (single phase power supply) or 22kW (three-phase power supply). At 22kW, Honda e owners will be able to charge to 100% capacity in 4.1 hours, assuming a 32-amp supply, significantly faster than through a standard wall socket.

For EV users who park in on-street urban environments, customers of the new service will be able to use the ubitricity network of charging points together with its ‘smart cable’ mobile metering technology. ubitricity has a rapidly growing network of chargers in cities throughout UK and Germany, with 1,700 alone in London.