Utrecht teams up with Renault to become Europe’s first V2G city

The Municipality of Utrecht has paired up with Renault, car sharing service provider My Wheels, and e-mobility/energy solutions firm, WeDrive Solar to usher in Europe’s first Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) car sharing service.

Named Utrecht Energized, the service uses the V2G system of its 50 Renault 5s V2G to store energy and feed it back to the local grid during peak times. The bi-directional technology is not Renault specific, and is used by several other EV manufacturers including Kia, Volkswagen, and Polestar. Renault’s V2G system is produced by its Moblize sub-brand.

“To unlock the full potential of V2G, we need to break down existing barriers,” commented Mobilize energy director, Jérôme Faton. “From adapting fiscal rules and grid fees to promoting interoperability and simplifying certification processes. With the right alignment, V2G can become a cornerstone of tomorrow’s grid.”

Utrecht Energized was announced in November 2024, and ties in with the Netherlands’ position as a global leader in wind-based energy. Moreover, 35% of rooftops in Utrecht are already fitted with solar panels. The Dutch city’s experimentation with V2G positions it alongside Australia, Japan, and China who are also exploring similar solutions.

In addition to the critically-acclaimed Renault 5, the French carmaker’s V2G tech is also incorporated into its all-electric Megane, Scenic, and the R5’s hot hatch sibling, the Alpine A290. The upcoming Renault 4 will also be V2G ready.

Since its Renaulation strategy outlined in 2021 by the company president, Luca de Meo, Renault has established itself as a leader in the EV segment. In 2022, its all-electric Scenic took the Car of the Year award. This was followed up by the Renault 5 and Alpine A290 taking the same award in 2025.