{"id":32968,"title":"Volkswagen sells solar panels to charge electric cars","publisher":"Stockmark.IT","author":"Stockmark.IT Website","published":"2024-06-11T04:39:58+00:00","modified":"2024-06-11T04:39:58+00:00","canonical_url":"https://stockmark.it/volkswagen-sells-solar-panels-to-charge-electric-cars/","markdown_url":"https://stockmark.it/volkswagen-sells-solar-panels-to-charge-electric-cars.md","json_url":"https://stockmark.it/volkswagen-sells-solar-panels-to-charge-electric-cars.json","category":"Automotive","categories":["Automotive","Electric Vehicles"],"featured_image":"https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/stencil.default-2024-06-11T053920.748.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"Volkswagen will begin selling solar panels along with electric car chargers. The company claims that this move will reduce costs for drivers in half.\n\nThe German auto giant announced on Monday that it has teamed up Otovo, a solar panel installer, to offer a package in which customers can have panels installed on their roof while a wall-mounted charging station is also installed.\n\nVW says that this will allow drivers to use the excess solar energy they generate to charge their electric vehicles (EV), reducing costs up to 40%.\n\nAccording to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical household will pay around £7,000 for a solar panel system that can produce 3.5kWh at its peak.\n\nVW sells chargers under its Elli brand.\n\nThe Elli Charger 2 was launched recently. It uses software to charge EVs at the best time for homeowners – for instance, when solar panels are producing excess energy or electricity is cheap.\n\nGiovanni Palazzo said that the partnership would make charging “more cost-effective and accessible for customers”.\n\nHe said: “The partnership between Otovo and Germany is an important signal not only for the charging and electricity business in Germany and Europe but also for the intelligent integration and energy transformation at home.”\n\nAndreas Thorsheim is the founder and chief executive of Otovo. He said that the deal will allow customers to purchase his services along with a VW charger.\n\n“We are delighted with this significant step and pioneering collaboration,” he said.\n\nThis partnership allows us to demonstrate directly the benefits of photovoltaics systems and expand our market significantly.\n\nOtovo, founded in 2016, is now active in 13 countries including the UK. The company claims to have installed over 25,000 solar panels systems in Europe.\n\nVW announced that the new service will be available this summer.\n\nSolar power is the most cost-effective source of energy that homeowners can use today to achieve mobility and energy transformation at home."}