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What are they saying when they “talk” to each other? The answers to these questions revolve around electric vehicle (EV) integrations.
Thanks to our integration work, we can create a continuous back-and-forth exchange between True Energy and an EV. It enables us to monitor crucial aspects like battery charge levels and charging status, among others. In other words, they enable us to offer automatic, intelligent charging at the lowest costs with the lowest climate impact.
We use this information to optimise the charging of individual and groups of vehicles. In this way, it forms the foundation of our Smart Charge solution, Big Battery and Local Battery offerings.
It is important to note that we do not integrate directly with a given car. We also do not directly control the vehicle’s charging. Instead, we interface with your car’s manufacturer’s systems. Through their systems, we communicate with your car and regulate charging. This indirect communication approach ensures the safety and privacy of individual cars and car owners’ data.
Technically, car integration is a standardised form of electronic communication. This constant exchange, which involves transmitting information packets containing different metrics, allows us to monitor various aspects of the car’s systems. Manufacturer packet information differently and include different information metrics. This includes which information is included and how it is packaged.
Our primary interest lies in discerning if the car is plugged in, if it is charging, and the battery’s charge level. We are less interested in whether the window wipers are on or the door is open. So, car integration focuses on filtering the data packaged and ensure that your car and True Energy’s systems only exchange relevant information.
There are three main approaches to car integration: direct integration, integration through a charger, and integration via third-party tools.
In direct integration, we develop a specific interface between our systems and the car models of a particular manufacturer. For example, this applies for Tesla, VW, Skoda, and Audi. Direct integration means that we have developed a solution that understands the unique ‘language’ spoken by the vehicle’s charging system. It enables us to offer our services directly to the car owner. As an electric car owner, this means you can use True Energy’s app and solutions for automatic, intelligent charging directly. Simply download the app and connect to your car to get started.
We also integrate with charge boxes. With charge box integration it does, in principle, not matter which car is connected, as the integration takes place with the charging box. It is thus through the charging box that we send signals to start and stop charging at the right times.
Third-party tool integration is another option. Here, True Energy creates the integration with the third-party tool. Said third party is then in charge of establishing connections with the cars and manufacturers’ systems.
Each approach comes with its advantages and challenges, which is one of the reasons why True Energy works actively with several methods.
Data Security: Prioritizing User Privacy
Thoroughness is key with regards to our efforts around data protection. True Energy is committed to safeguarding user data. We strictly adhere to regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and only use the minimum of data necessary to provide our services.
One way we increase data protection is by using tokens to enhance the security of our users’ data. These tokens are random mixes of letters and numbers that replace sensitive information, protecting user data from potential breaches and preventing us from knowing users’ username and password with the car or charger manufacturers.
The last five years have seen a remarkable evolution in car integrations, matching the exponential growth in EVs.
While many EV manufacturers now have apps for their vehicles, these typically serve a broad range of functions. However, specialised applications like ours offer unique advantages by optimising power usage and ensuring environmentally friendly EV use in cheapest way possible.
As we look to the future, the development in energy prices and the increasing importance of climate-friendly energy solutions make our services even more crucial.
Whether providing users with intelligent, automated EV charging or offering partners the ability to enhance flexibility and reduce costs through features like smart charge and Big Battery, we’re leading the way.
Car integrations are at the heart of these innovative services, the critical link connecting our users, the grid, utilities, and our shared, sustainable energy future.
For real-life insights into what that future may look like and the role of EVs in it, please read about our collaboration with Sev and the Faroe Islands here.
