EVTEC helps Honda to develop power management technology

Honda took to the stage at Geneva this week to announce the further acceleration of its electrification ambitions. The company announced its intention to move 100 per cent of its European sales to electrified powertrains by 2025. Further proof of Honda’s electrification ambition was seen in the shape of the Honda e Prototype. Unveiled for the first time at Geneva, the car previews Honda’s first production battery electric vehicle for the European market.

Honda took the opportunity of its Geneva press conference to share the first details of its developing energy management solutions business for Europe. Honda intends to build a portfolio of energy management products and services offering a comprehensive solution for both EV customers and service operators in Europe.

Tom Gardner, Senior Vice President, Honda Motor Europe, said, “This is a significant move for Honda, our intention is to deliver industry-leading innovation by launching energy services…to create additional value for power system operators and EV customers alike.”

Honda has been working with the young Swiss cleantech company EVTEC to further develop its bi-directional Honda Power Manager technology (compatible with battery-electric vehicles, such as the Honda e Prototype) and will plan to offer a commercial version in the coming years.

Through bi-directional energy transfer, electricity is drawn from the grid or is generated by photovoltaic solar panels, and is used to charge electric vehicles plugged in to the system. While an electric vehicle is plugged in, the energy held in its battery can be transferred back to help stabilise the grid at times of short or surplus supply.

The Lucerne-based ETH Zurich spinoff EVTEC was founded in 2010. Its team consists of engineers with substantial experience in the domains of Electronics, Power-Electronics and Control Technology with a focus on Electric Mobility. With its network of manufacturing partners and specialists in the area of electronic and mechatronic components, EVTEC is able to support customers during conception, planning and prototyping of E-Mobile projects.