Enel X has integrated its US-based electric vehicle charging solution subsidiary eMotorwerks  into the Enel brand.

In addition, Enel X is now making available its new EV charging app Juicepass to consumers in North America.

The development expands Enel X’s energy offerings in the region by including smart charging products supplied by eMotorwerks and the company’s battery storage, demand response and energy advisory services.

This is expected to expand the adoption of vehicle to grid solutions as part of efforts to expand the region’s portfolios of renewable energy and consumer energy management and environmental-friendly energy services.

Preston Roper, head of Enel X in North America, said: “Today’s announcement represents Enel X’s view that smart charging can ensure grid balancing as well as cost-effective integration of clean energy into the grid.

“With our smart EV charging solutions, the growing demand for electricity resulting from increased EV adoption can be met with renewable energy supply in a way that balances the grid while further decarbonizing the power and transport sectors. With an 80 percent increase in electric vehicle sales between 2017 and 2018 in the US, a trend which is confirmed in 2019 sales to date, there could not be a more urgent time to promote the benefits of smart EV charging.”

The news follows the release of a study which states that increasing consumer awareness and education on EVs will accelerate adoption. 62% of consumers said they would purchase an EV after they hear the facts and benefits.

EV sales reached 345,000 units in 2018 in the USA, up 80% from 2017, and nearly 100 new models are expected to be launched in the US between 2019 and 2023.

Enel X ‘s portfolio of demand response capacity has reached 6GW globally and operates over 50,000 electric vehicle smart charging points in 20 countries.

In North America, the firm has around 3,400 business customers, spanning more than 10,400 sites, representing approximately 4.6 GW of demand response capacity and over 20 /operational behind-the-meter storage projects.