Stadtwerke Gießen is bringing a breath of fresh air to the topic of electromobility with an innovative concept: the new E-Revolution brand conceals a whole range of coherent offers for future e-car drivers and homeowners who want to generate solar power.
E-mobility is regarded as an important key technology for the energy transition. However, neither politicians nor car manufacturers are pushing the issue with the necessary vigour. It is therefore not surprising that experts now believe that the target of two million German e-cars by 2020, which was set years ago, is no longer achievable.
"It's time to act," says Jens Schmidt, CEO of Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG). This is why SWG has developed an innovative concept in recent months with which it aims to decisively advance e-mobility in the Central Hesse region: the e-revolution. Under this name, the energy specialists from Lahnstrasse are combining several coherent offers that make the switch to an electric car easier and more than financially attractive. The centrepiece of the concept: SWG offers the compact city car Smart EQ fortwo for 69.90 euros per month. "Both the car itself and the truly unrivalled favourable conditions should convince many people," says Ulli Boos, responsible for the project at SWG, confidently.
SWG is working with various partners to be able to offer this price. The doors of the Smarts are suitable as special advertising spaces and are used as such. In contrast to a localised poster, the eye-catching cars are on the road and carry the advertising message throughout the region. "In this way, we generate income that we use to finance the extremely favourable monthly rates," says Ulli Boos, explaining the idea behind it.
Ulli Boos expects the first vehicles to be available from the second quarter of 2019. However, he advises people to act quickly: "I assume that demand will far exceed our limited supply." SWG has created the option of registering on a list of interested parties on the website www.erevolution.de.
SWG generally leases the vehicles to its customers for 48 months and the mileage is set at 40,000 kilometres. SWG takes care of registration. Customers pay for any necessary insurance, general inspections and workshop services themselves.
In the first phase, SWG will limit its attractive offer to Giessen and the neighbouring districts. Only those who have their primary residence here can get one of the low-cost Smarts.
Own petrol station
However, an electric car alone is usually not enough. Although the current models are suitable for typical everyday use thanks to ranges of 80 to 100 kilometres, charging remains an issue. According to studies, nine out of ten charging processes take place at home. Consequently, SWG has come up with a solution for this: a wallbox. "We were also able to find a renowned partner when it comes to charging," explains Ulli Boos. There are two versions to choose from, which differ only in terms of charging power - either 3.7 or 11 kilowatts. All other parameters are identical: both versions can be integrated into the home network and conveniently controlled via an app. As with the vehicle, the term of the contract is 48 months. Customers are responsible for installing the wallbox. They commission their trusted electrician.
Drive even more cheaply
Anyone who has enough space for a photovoltaic system, whether on the roof of their home or business, can also benefit even more from the e-revolution. This is because the concept also includes individually configurable solar systems up to ten kilowatts peak and electricity storage systems with two different storage capacities at extremely favourable all-round carefree conditions. "Here, too, we have to pay close attention to the respective circumstances," says Ulli Boos. For this reason, the systems are always planned precisely according to the customer's individual requirements following an on-site assessment. Consequently, there are no all-inclusive prices, but there are plenty of options. Customers can either opt for a combination of solar thermal system and storage tank, just a solar thermal system or just a storage tank. There is a choice of two storage tank sizes.
All options are based on a 20-year lease agreement. This model ensures that customers benefit from the feed-in tariff if the system produces more solar power than is consumed on site. "In these cases, the green electricity is fed into the public grid," explains Ulli Boos.
Everything from a single source
With its E-Revolution, SWG has put together a complete package for its customers that includes all the components that are useful for drivers of electric cars. "Because we want to appeal to as many people as possible, we also offer all modules individually," explains Jens Schmidt. This means that tenants in apartment blocks also have the chance to get their hands on a Smart EQ fortwo at a favourable price. And even those who live in their own home and do not yet want to switch to an electric vehicle can benefit. After all, if your electricity requirements and consumption habits match, a correctly dimensioned photovoltaic system with an electricity storage unit will pay for itself in many cases, even without an electric car.
SWG has compiled all the important information on this topic on the website www.erevolution.de.
14.02.2019