Through bidirectional charging and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies, EVs can store energy and feed it back into the grid, helping reduce costs and pressure on the grid.

These opportunities, but also the remaining challenges that need to be solved before generalised commercialisation becomes a reality, were part of the discussion at the recent ITS European Congress.

Where ePowerMove steps in

The ePowerMove project is developing charging solutions that are not only technically efficient, but also low-cost, inclusive and designed around real user needs. Presented by Project Coordinator Andrew Winder (ERTICO ITS-Europe), ePowerMove highlighted that the future of charging is not just about hardware or software, it is also about trust, accessibility, affordability and public acceptance.

The project is also actively engaged in the V2X Cluster, a collaborative ecosystem of EU-funded projects working together to accelerate smart, interoperable, and user-centric charging solutions across Europe.

During the session, Marko Paakkinen (VTT) shared insights from the Helsinki pilot, testing smart charging in a residential urban setting. The pilot is exploring new charger designs that are less visually intrusive and more inclusive for all users. Residential charging also offers strategic advantages. To participate in local flexibility markets, a sufficiently large fleet of connected vehicles is needed. In public charging spaces, that pool can be harder to build. In residential areas, users with dedicated parking spaces can more easily participate, while neighbours and communities can be engaged over time.

Why AC Bidirectional Charging Matters

Another important discussion point was the role of AC bidirectional charging. For passenger cars, AC charging can offer lower total system costs because part of the charging hardware is already in the vehicle. This can make deployment more affordable and scalable, particularly in urban and residential environments.

However, market readiness and further standardisation remain a challenge. Vehicle support for AC V2G is still limited, and some manufacturers are prioritising DC charging. Business models will need to mature to encourage wider adoption.

Shared challenges across Europe

Speakers from other initiatives shared common challenges: limited vehicle availability, regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure complexity, and user mistrust. Cindy P. Guzman shared insights on scalable V2X optimisation strategies from the EV4EU project, while Sergio Fernandez Balaguer (EMT) brought the public transport operator perspective, highlighting how regulation still limits feeding energy back to the grid.

But there is also a brighter side. Electric mobility is opening the room for emerging opportunities, from residential flexibility schemes to bus depots evolving into local mobility and energy hubs. In a hopefully not-so-distant future, EVs will not only be a sustainable choice to reduce diesel-fuelled vehicles, but a smart and green choice that will alleviate stress on the electric power grid.

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Helsinki: Preparing smart charging for real urban environments

The Helsinki pilot is gearing up for its deployment phase. With charger design and installation concepts already finalised, current efforts are centred on site planning in Rouholahti. In coordination with local stakeholders, our Finnish bidirectional features for low-cost, non-intrusive AC kerbside charging will first be tested at VTT’s laboratory facilities. This validation process will include system-level testing that simulates real grid conditions and user interactions.

The Finnish pilot’s strong citizen co-design approach ensures that the solution is not only technically sound but also accessible, user-friendly, and adapted to Nordic conditions. However, some general challenges remain, as the limited availability of V2G-capable vehicles impacts the scale of real-world demonstrations. Close coordination with vehicle manufacturers and importers, along with careful planning, will ensure that meaningful bidirectional charging validation can be carried out within the pilot timeline.

For now, our partners VTT, UTU, IGL and FVH will continue advancing the deployment of the chargers, integrating digital solutions, validating grid interaction, and gathering user feedback.

Klagenfurt: Building the foundations for a multimodal charging hub

The Klagenfurt pilot is progressing steadily despite its relocation. The pilot has been moved to a strategic multimodal hub near the main railway station. This new location provides key testing opportunities, as it´s a central area for commuting and other public transport access.

On the technical side, hardware and software developments are progressing. Work is currently focused on finalising ISO 15118-20 compliant systems, preparing installation plans, and coordinating grid access. In parallel, the team is developing load forecasting tools to better manage energy demand and optimise charging operations.

The pilot now prepares the infrastructure installation, prototype testing, and regulatory setup, while advancing the development of smart grid integration tools. The co-design workshops and the successful certification of charging solutions have set a solid ground for the implementation phase.

Nicosia: Advancing towards integrated charging and energy systems

The Cypriot partners, on their side, are finalising the technical and electrical groundwork needed to support the EV charging deployment. The team is completing the electrical study and defining the requirements for expanding the electrical installation and infrastructure needed to support EV chargers that meet the project’s advanced functionality requirements.

As in the other two pilots, a key challenge remains the limited availability of V2G-enabled chargers and compatible vehicles. The Cyprus pilot is also seeking manufacturer support for integration.

With infrastructure expansion, procurement of charging equipment, and installation in place, the pilot will move into the demonstration phase.

A common goal

The ePowerMove project is testing its innovation in different locations to adapt to a variety of needs, weather conditions and sociocultural contexts. However, these first months have shown common challenges, mainly around technology readiness and market availability of V2G solutions.

At the same time, all three sites demonstrate strong progress in turning user needs into practical solutions, supported by close collaboration with citizens and local stakeholders.

As ePowerMove moves closer to the demonstration phase, these pilots will play a crucial role in validating how smart, bidirectional, and user-centric charging can work in real-life conditions.

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What matters most to users?

Across all pilot sites, several common concerns and expectations emerged. Users are particularly interested in the financial benefits and flexibility that bidirectional charging can offer. However, there are still important barriers to overcome. Concerns around battery health, lack of clear and transparent information, limited charging infrastructure, and uncertainty around costs and taxation influence user acceptance. They expect solutions that are simple, reliable, and seamless, with clear incentives and full control over how their vehicle and energy are used.

From insights to design

These findings are shaping the design of ePowerMove solutions, that considers accessibility needs, gender perspectives, and the experiences of users with limited mobility.
As a result, the project will consider:

• Accessible and easy-to-use charging station design, with clear interfaces and intuitive interaction
• Urban environments and climate conditions, such as visibility, lighting, and placement
• Inclusive features like clear icons, readable displays, and supportive design elements

Overnight and residential charging are critical for smart, grid-friendly solutions. Users, however, face challenges with cost, availability, convenience, and trust. ePowerMove explores solutions such as:

• Incentives for off-peak and overnight charging
• Expanding slow charging access in residential areas
• Better integration with renewable energy
• Simplified payment and interoperability

The goal is simple: make EV charging not only functional, but comfortable, safe, and accessible for everyone.

All findings are detailed in Deliverable 1.3.

These insights are now guiding the design of ePowerMove’s charging solutions, which will soon be put to the test in the project’s pilot sites in Helsinki, Klagenfurt, and Nicosia, providing a real-world validation of how user-centred V2G charging can work in practice.

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Deliverable D1.1 “Baseline User Demands and Results from Co-Designing”, led by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in collaboration with the pilot site partners in Helsinki, Klagenfurt, and Nicosia, marks a major step in understanding how people across Europe experience and expect EV charging to evolve.

Why co-design matters

Smart and bidirectional charging technologies promise to reshape the relationship between vehicles, users, and the energy grid. But technology alone cannot drive change. It must respond to the real needs, preferences, and constraints of users.

By involving citizens directly in the design process, ePowerMove ensures that its solutions, such as low-cost AC chargers and user-friendly applications, are rooted in how people actually live, move, and charge.

The co-design process, carried out in spring 2025, engaged participants from diverse backgrounds: current EV owners, potential buyers, car-sharing users, residents with limited mobility, and others representing a variety of household and mobility situations. Discussions explored daily driving habits, payment preferences, accessibility barriers, and awareness of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology.

A collaborative and inclusive process

Recruitment and engagement took place across the three pilot sites using local communication channels such as city newsletters, associations, and online invitations. All sites successfully conducted workshops and interviews, both in-person and online.

Notably, in Helsinki, the team collaborated with the Finnish Association for People with Disabilities to ensure that accessibility needs were integrated early into the charger design process. Feedback from participants directly influenced aspects such as charger height, user interface, lighting, and overall usability.

Across the three sites, the discussions revealed a range of insights, from the importance of reliable payment options to concerns about parking availability and information transparency in charging apps.

One of the key achievements of D1.1 was transforming this raw user feedback into structured User Requirements under four categories:

1. Technical Requirements
2. Infrastructure Requirements
3. Functional Requirements
4. Application Requirements

Laying the foundation for the next steps

The findings of D1.1 provide a crucial baseline for future project activities, including D1.3 End User Requirements and the development of physical charger prototypes within Work Package 2.

The insights also underline a broader truth: the success of e-mobility depends on people’s trust, comfort, and participation. As ePowerMove continues to refine its designs and prepare pilot deployments in Helsinki, Klagenfurt, and Nicosia, the project remains committed to ensuring that its solutions reflect the diversity of Europe’s urban and social landscapes.

By bringing together technology developers, city partners, and citizens, ePowerMove is setting the stage for smarter, fairer, and more inclusive EV charging systems across Europe.

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Several EU-funded projects already address EV charging as a part of the green transition in the European Union. What does ePowerMove bring to the table?

Previous and ongoing EU-funded projects address many aspects of EV charging. These include fast charging on the interurban and Trans-European Network, interoperability of charging services across providers, countries, and vehicle models, charging for different types of vehicles (trucks, buses, light vehicles), wireless and dynamic charging, electric grid effects and management, and user-friendly value-added services associated with charging to encourage uptake and make EV charging easier. The main focus has been on innovation, standardisation, and stimulating deployment.
While rapid charging is important to provide confidence for EV drivers on longer trips, for the most part, drivers are likely to need to charge over longer periods of time (e.g, while at home or at work). This is also cheaper and reduces strain on the grid.
Moreover, the increasing numbers of public charging points in the urban environment call for lower cost and less intrusive infrastructure, while maintaining accessibility and ease of use for all, including potential future users.
ePowerMove responds to these needs by adopting a user-centric approach to co-design, as well as charging infrastructure that is modular, low-cost, bi-directional, and appropriate for different socio-economic and climatic conditions in Europe – for example, the project has demonstration sites in the Nordics (Helsinki), the Alps (Klagenfurt), and the Mediterranean (Nicosia). One-year public demonstrations in these three cities will result in a significant database of operational data and guide the project’s later work in developing business models, recommendations, and simulations to stimulate large-scale rollout of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology and bidirectional charging.

The ePowerMove consortium comprises a variety of stakeholders, from universities to industry, operators, services providers, public agencies and associations. How does the project leverage such a varied partnership?

The majority of ePowerMove partners are from the countries of the three demonstration sites: Finland, Austria, and Cyprus, including manufacturers, charging and grid operators, and public authorities/agencies, with specific roles. Some of them are experienced in EU research projects and others are new to this kind of activity. To ensure cohesion, local coordination in each site is undertaken by three ERTICO partners with wide experience in managing major European projects and demonstrations. These are (respectively) VTT, AustriaTech, and the University of Cyprus’s KIOS Centre of Excellence. A specificity of the Klagenfurt demonstration is that it includes a cross-border aspect, with partners from neighbouring Slovenia. Away from the demonstration sites, the project has partners from Belgium, the UK, and Turkey.

Aside from the demonstration sites, the work package leaders ensure management of the different phases of the project. The project is divided into seven work packages, with most of the 18 partners being active in at least six of them. What are some of the most immediate steps in this first year of the project?

One of the main activities in the first year of the project is the approach to user needs, behaviour and other socio-cultural aspects, leading to co-design. This has featured engagement with a diverse range of citizens in the three demonstration areas. Different participatory approaches were used to collect user feedback from clusters such as EV owners, potential buyers of EVs, and people with special mobility needs. Discussions with users led to suggestions for prototype charger designs. User requirements were collected in terms of technical, infrastructure, functional and application requirements.
Baseline user demands and results from co-designing have been completed, and analysis of end-user requirements is now in a mature state. Partners in the three demonstration sites conducted this work, with overall technical coordination by VTT.
Another major ongoing activity is the work package on low-cost charging and apps, led by UTU. Work on technical requirements and constraints is at an advanced stage, and work is ongoing to develop low-cost, less intrusive, and bidirectional on-street charging solutions. This part of the project is also working on mobile apps to incorporate bidirectional charging and user-friendly solutions in online tools.
Regarding system design, led by the University of Cyprus, work has advanced on developing a multi-level architecture for coordinating bi-directional charging, with data exchange and functional requirements for each grid/charging-level solution having been defined. ERTICO is also leading the development of a Demonstration and Evaluation Plan to guide future stages of the project.

How does ePowerMove fit into ERTICO’s strategy, and how will it contribute to 2ZERO objectives?

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On 13 June, ePowerMove joined the V2X Cluster’s in-person Working Group meeting at POLIS Network in Brussels. Organised into thematic focus areas: Business Models, Battery Degradation, Consumer Perspective, and AC vs DC Charging, the groups work to align approaches and maximise the impact of each project’s findings. A potential fifth group on Policy and Regulation is now also under discussion.

Project partners Andrew Winder (Project Coordinator, ERTICO), Danielle Kutka (E-Mobility Europe, WP lead on Rollout Acceleration), and Tom Tamlander (VTT, WP lead on Socio-cultural Inclusion) contributed actively to discussions, particularly on topics like user behaviour, business model innovation, and the benefits of bidirectional AC charging in urban environments.

Driving visibility at EVS38

Just a week later, some project partners gathered at the 38th International Electric Vehicles Symposium & Exhibition (EVS38), co-organised by our consortium member e-Mobility Europe, together with the World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA). The event offered a global platform to showcase real-world advancements in charging infrastructure, smart mobility and grid integration.

At the shared V2X Cluster stand, ePowerMove stood alongside sister projects AHEAD, NEVERFLAT, SCALE, DriVe2X, XLConnect, EV4EU, and FLOW to spotlight our collective vision: future-proofing Europe’s charging ecosystem through scalable, sustainable technologies.

From our side, project partners ERTICO – ITS Europe, VTT, and Forum Virium Helsinki joined the event, reinforcing our joint commitment to smarter, more inclusive urban charging.

Why the Cluster matters

The V2X Cluster creates a space where projects can break silos, pool knowledge, and work toward a shared mission: enabling seamless integration between EVs, the grid, and everyday users. For ePowerMove, this means strengthening our work on affordable, smart AC charging solutions — while learning from, and contributing to, a broader European effort.

Collaboration isn’t just a checkbox. It’s the foundation for systemic change. And through the V2X Cluster, we’re making that change happen together.

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Why is it so important for ePowerMove to involve different community clusters in the design of innovative charging infrastructure?

Imagine selecting a place to rent. You spend time finding the perfect place that fits your lifestyle, considering your family situation, having a home office, or being close to the city to avoid a long commute. These are your needs. However, your needs are not the same as my needs. I may want to live away from the city so I can avoid the noise and chaos. I also like having a garden and a patio, and I will have a larger outdoor space if I live outside the city.

When we live in a community, it is not just ‘us’ living there. A community is made up of many different people with different ages, genders and lifestyles. A community can be a few people or hundreds of people; there is no restriction. Shall we make everyone live in the same type of house? Shall we make them follow your routine or my routine always?

The charging infrastructure has to cater to the charging needs not just for 1 hour for one person. But many people may want to use it during the 24 hours, depending on where they are going or where they are coming from.

What specific co-design activities are planned throughout the project? Which groups are you working with and how are you reaching them?

The first six months of the project were very intense for the three demos because this was the only time we had within the project to engage the citizens and collect requirements for the new charger design. We decided to keep the discussions simple so that we can hear the user stories first-hand. During discussions, we asked participants, for example, to draw their profiles (how they start their day, where they go to charge the car, how long they charge for, etc.). Our next step in Helsinki is to create a set of preferred design choices and request participants to select their preferences. We have tried to reach all genders, age groups and different types of professionals, like taxi drivers. Our ways of reaching the users have varied across the demos, including university staff, company employees, NGOs, and personal contacts.

From your perspective, are there any legal or regulatory gaps that hinder the rollout of more inclusive and accessible charging solutions?

The cities indeed adhere to specific guidelines regarding the installation of chargers; however, ePowerMove gives us a chance to propose changes based on the collected user evidence.

How do you expect the feedback and insights gathered from communities to shape the development of the project and influence wider EV adoption in the future?

By speaking to a large number of EV and non-EV users, we have a chance to understand the small data, like chargers being located at the last corner of the parking area with not enough lighting. This type of data helps the experts become more aware of the user and the charging experience as a whole, emphasising that charging is not just limited to inserting the cable and completing the payment, but also the environment around the user.

Influencing the wider adoption of EVs is a difficult task to achieve right away, but through our efforts, we can perhaps try to clarify misconceptions that citizens may have about EVs and discuss with the city and experts how to address the user requirements.

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On 9 June 2025, the ePowerMove project held its co-design workshop in Ruoholahti, Helsinki, bringing together 19 participants, including 9 local residents and 10 representatives from Finnish partners Forum Virium Helsinki, VTT, IGL-Technologies, and UTU.

The session aimed to gather insights from residents about their everyday mobility habits, charging preferences, and expectations for future smart and bidirectional (V2G) charging solutions in the area.

Local interest in innovative energy solutions

Ruoholahti is already home to a significant number of EV users, many of whom expressed a keen interest in new technologies such as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) charging. Participants welcomed the idea of adopting V2G-capable vehicles and chargers, whether through ownership or leasing, provided the solutions align with their personal driving needs.

Residents highlighted the importance of strategically distributed charging points throughout Ruoholahti to support daily routines. With most streetside parking located within 200 metres of homes, participants suggested placing chargers both on streets and in parking halls, where roughly one-third of local cars are currently parked.

Discussions also covered economic incentives for enabling V2G. Participants agreed that to encourage energy sharing, compensation for electricity fed back into the grid should be higher than the purchase price of charging electricity.

This collaborative exchange provided valuable feedback for refining ePowerMove’s user-centric design approach and ensuring that the Helsinki pilot reflects the real needs of local drivers and communities.

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Clean, resilient and connected mobility. That was this year’s theme of the 16th ITS European Congress. Sustainable mobility was a central topic at the most attended edition. As part of the European Union’s push toward climate neutrality, underpinned by initiatives like the Fit for 55 package, expanded charging infrastructure, and stricter CO₂ emission standards, the Congress brought together research, deployment, and public policy in an unprecedented showcase of cooperation and knowledge exchange. However, scepticism around e-mobility remains among users.

Special Interest Session 37 brought together leading EU-funded projects and experts to explore how user behaviour, perception, and engagement are shaping the future of electromobility. From debunking persistent myths to showcasing cutting-edge charging solutions and business models, the session highlighted the essential role of users in driving the shift toward clean, connected, and zero-emission transport.

From insight to action: EU projects shaping the future of e-mobility

Beyond shedding light on some of the concerns around electromobility, the session also showcased practical solutions and success stories. The completed eCharge4Drivers project contributed valuable insights and takeaways from their booking, planning services, and user-oriented charging solutions.

Raphael Heliot (e-Mobility Europe, ePowerMove partner) presented the Flow project, which tests, validates, and enhances user-centric V2X smart charging solutions. He shared relevant data indicating that most EV users charge their vehicles at private locations such as homes and offices, a trend that aligns well with V2X technologies. This is particularly beneficial for users with solar panels, allowing for greater energy efficiency and self-consumption.

Emin Aliyev introduced ePowerMove, which is advancing EV charging with smart, low-cost, bidirectional solutions. Through its three pilots, ePowerMove aims to develop adaptable solutions tailored to diverse sociocultural, geographical, and climatic contexts. The project will deliver scalable outcomes, including dedicated apps, smart energy and grid synergy frameworks, advanced digital tools and data models, and innovative V2G business models geared toward market readiness.

Finally, Frida Kuhl presented the Battery2Life project, which is rethinking the Battery Management System (BMS) to extend battery life and support circular economy principles in electromobility.

Covering the full scope of e-mobility, from the charging infrastructure to the vehicle itself, the session also featured a presentation of the ZEV-UP focused on the vehicle side, addressing a fundamental question: Why would someone choose to buy an EV? Among the reasons: smaller batteries mean shorter charging times and increased convenience when it comes to parking.

Empowering users: the key to a successful green transition

Despite remaining scepticism, often fuelled by misinformation, EV sales continue to grow, and outdated concerns like range anxiety are rapidly diminishing. Legislation is stepping in to incentivise adoption, but as many speakers noted, real change comes when users are not only supported but empowered. If customers are incentivised, they will make use of the technologies. They are at the centre of everything, and that is why they must be an active part of this green transformation.

The ITS European Congress made it clear: projects like ePowerMove are not isolated experiments, but part of a broader shift toward a sustainable, competitive, and climate-resilient transport ecosystem. 

Accompany the ePowerMove team on this journey and help us co-design and shape inclusive charging solutions.

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The group also examined dynamic price-based charging and Vehicle-to-Grid services. Participants appreciated the idea of automated, tariff-aware charging schedules but requested simple override buttons and a guaranteed minimum state of charge. Many expressed concerns about battery degradation, emphasising the need for clear warranties and fair compensation when energy is fed back to the grid.

Input from these sessions will guide the design of upcoming charging installations in the ePowerMove pilots, as part of the consortium’s mission o co-design suitable solutions directly with community clusters, ensuring they meet real user needs for reliability, transparency, and ease of use.

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