Endesa and SEAT join forces to develop e-mobility

Endesa Chairman, Borja Prado, and the Executive Deputy Chairmen of SEAT, Matthias Rabe and Ramón Paredes, attended a meeting last week at which both Spanish companies confirmed their commitment to develop e-mobility and the electric vehicle as a means of promoting the fight against climate change and helping the companies successfully meet sustainability and economic growth objectives, while at the same time creating value for shareholders.

Through this agreement Endesa and SEAT plan to work together on e-mobility initiatives which will unlock the value of the leading positions they hold in their respective sectors. This agreement demonstrates the groups’ endorsement of the electric vehicle as a means of promoting the fight against climate change and helping the companies successfully meet sustainability and economic growth objectives while at the same time creating value for shareholders.

Under the agreement Endesa and SEAT will pursue several lines of action to promote this mode of transport over a two-year period:

1. SEAT to provide Endesa with two electric vehicle prototypes. SEAT will provide Endesa with two EV prototypes: the León TwinDrive Ecomotive (plug-in hybrid) and the e-Altea XL (100% electric) for pilot tests. Endesa will be the first company in Spain to incorporate the two SEAT EV models into its fleet.
2. Endesa charging infrastructure. Endesa will install two charging points at SEAT’s technical centre.
3. Study of joint Endesa and SEAT participation in projects. Joint participation on related projects to promote e-mobility in Spain. Endesa will offer SEAT technical support regarding the necessary charging infrastructures so that SEAT may execute the agreements signed with the city councils of Barcelona and Madrid, as well as with the Generalitat of Catalonia to carry out pilot tests.
4. Verification of compatibility between electrical vehicles and the charging infrastructures. Both companies will work together in the short- and medium-term to identify and analyse quick recharge technologies as well as designing pilot tests to check the compatibility between EVs and the various quick-charge infrastructures.

A team of qualified professionals from both companies will carry out these technical studies.

Endesa and SEAT already participate in two initiatives aimed at promoting e-mobility in Spain: the CENIT Verde project, spearheaded by SEAT with the backing of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the LIVE public-private platform, backed by the Barcelona city council.

Electric vehicle development on several fronts

The development of a sustainable transport policy is a cornerstone of Endesa’s 2008-2012 Strategic Sustainability Plan. In Spain, the company is involved in rolling out e-mobility projects (MOVELE project) in Madrid and Barcelona, and in major technological initiatives (Cenit VERDE, DER22@ and REVE projects). It also recently entered into agreements with leading companies, such as SEAT, to promote e-mobility.

In Europe, Endesa is part of the Green eMotion consortium and is also the only Spanish company involved in the ELVIRE and G4V consortia aimed at developing the necessary technology, solutions and services to enable on-going interaction between drivers, their power suppliers and the smart grid. These projects also evaluate the impact of a large-scale introduction of EVs on the power grid.

Endesa was one of the first companies to join international standardisation and regulation groups for e-mobility equipment, systems and solutions. It is also European chair of CHAdeMO, the Japanese association that provides fast charge services for EV users and boasts the largest global footprint, aimed at expanding the installation of these recharging points worldwide and setting recharge standards.

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