As the electric vehicle sector develops rapidly, the idea that vehicles can also be used for energy storage and grid management is gaining more importance. In this context, Nissan accelerated its investments and became a partner in a company founded by BMW, Ford and Honda.

Nissan partners with giant companies with ChargeScape

Nissan has joined ChargeScape, a provider of electricity and charging management, as a partner. Founded last year by BMW, Ford and Honda, ChargeScape develops a software platform for home charging management and sending stored electric vehicle battery energy to the grid.

Following the completion of the investments, Nissan plans to offer ChargeScape’s services to electric vehicle customers in the US and Canada. This will allow electric Nissan owners to control their charging with ChargeScape and sell the stored energy to electric utilities.

ChargeScape uses wireless technologies to communicate between electric vehicles, home chargers and power companies. The software developed by the company pauses charging when prices are high and can send energy from the battery to the grid to help stabilize the electricity system. Users, in turn, can get paid for the energy they provide through agreements with power companies.

Nissan added bi-directional charging capabilities to its Leaf chargers nearly a decade ago. So it is no stranger to vehicle-to-grid charging technology.

The company’s chargers could use the vehicle’s energy to power homes during power outages. By investing in the ChargeScape platform, Nissan has also shown that it wants to use renewable energy sources.