Electric car and solar energy company Tesla is considering providing an all-in-one home and car energy package, that would include controlled EV charging times if it goes ahead in Germany.
As more cars become powered by electric drive-trains, the lines between the energy and automotive industry will become increasingly blurred.
Already, energy companies, such as AGL, Origin and Powershop in Australia, are looking to offer cheaper tariffs for EV drivers and consider ways to encourage drivers to charge their EVs to help soak up excess electricity demand.
Now, we are beginning to see similar moves from the other side of the market: auto makers looking to slide sideways into the energy market (not to mention oil companies such as Shell doing something similar).
In a survey sent to potential German customers, Tesla sought to gauge interest on whether electric car drivers would like Tesla to schedule car charging times as part of the package to take advantage of cheaper tariffs.
The survey also asked respondents if they would be interested in purchasing a Tesla Wall Connector EV charge unit, a Tesla Powerwall, Tesla solar panels, as well as what would persuade them to switch to another energy company.
To read the full version of this story – and view the photo gallery – on RenewEconomy’s electric vehicle dedicated site, The Driven, click here…
Tougher rules to protect Australia's environment have been welcomed by developers, but conservation groups say…
Karl Braganza, head of research at the BoM, explains El Niño and what it means…
Freshly minted NEM data shows solar-charged batteries discharging at record levels, helping lower wholesale prices…
It is now well established that the combination of new renewables and the huge growth…
Remote First Nations renewable energy projects are a complicated sell to investors, but a new…
Sod turned at first major solar and battery project to connect to new REZ, at…