Deftpower has partnered with major players across the Dutch energy and mobility sectors to launch an innovative pilot programme designed to reshape how electric vehicle owners interact with public charging infrastructure. The initiative brings together grid operator Liander, charging station operators Vattenfall and Allego, and charging card providers ANWB and Athlon to test demand-response mechanisms across 12,000 public charging points in Gelderland.
The pilot enables EV drivers to receive financial rewards—approximately 10% of their charging costs—by using smart-charging applications to shift their charging sessions to off-peak periods when grid demand is lower. This approach addresses a growing challenge facing European power grids as electric vehicle adoption accelerates: managing concentrated demand during peak hours without requiring costly infrastructure upgrades.
How the Pilot Works
The programme leverages smart-charging technology to incentivise behaviour change among EV users. Drivers who download and use Deftpower’s application can monitor real-time electricity prices and grid conditions, then time their charging sessions to coincide with periods of lower demand. The financial incentive structure—offering a reduction equivalent to roughly one-tenth of typical charging expenses—creates a tangible motivation for participation without imposing penalties on those who maintain conventional charging patterns.
Grid operators have long sought solutions to manage peak loads more effectively. By distributing charging demand more evenly across the day and night, the infrastructure becomes more efficiently utilised, reducing the need for expensive grid reinforcements and potentially lowering overall system costs. For individual drivers, the financial saving represents a meaningful reduction in the operating expenses associated with vehicle ownership.
Strategic Partnerships Strengthen Ecosystem
The breadth of the partnership demonstrates the integrated nature of the modern EV charging ecosystem. Liander’s involvement ensures grid-level coordination and data integration, while Vattenfall and Allego bring operational expertise from managing thousands of charging stations. ANWB and Athlon contribute established relationships with vehicle owners and corporate fleet managers, facilitating user adoption and programme visibility.
This combination of stakeholders suggests the pilot extends beyond simple price signals. The infrastructure and partnerships indicate potential for sophisticated coordination between grid management, charging operations, and user incentive structures—elements that may inform future scaling across the Netherlands and beyond.
Broader Context for European EV Infrastructure
The Gelderland pilot reflects broader European challenges around integrating large numbers of electric vehicles into existing grids. As countries including Germany, France, and the Nordic region experience rapid EV adoption, managing charging demand has become increasingly critical for grid stability. Pilot programmes like Deftpower’s test whether market-based incentive mechanisms can effectively shift behaviour at scale, potentially offering a replicable model for other European regions facing similar grid management pressures.