IBM And Green EMotion Partners Aim To Simplify Electric Vehicle Roaming

ARMONK, N.Y. and BOEBLINGEN, Germany, Dec. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a project that will simplify electric vehicle (EV) charging and payment for consumers, regardless of their location. The operational demonstration, called the B2B Marketplace will allow energy providers, car manufacturers, and charging point owners to share and integrate services on one common IT platform. This will create a network of EV charging services that are compatible regionally in Europe. 

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In an effort to increase electric vehicle adoption, the B2B Marketplace demonstration allows drivers to charge their vehicle and pay in any location across borders and geographies, regardless of their energy provider – an approach similar to international roaming for mobile phones. This project aims to allow cross network communication between multiple charging stations and various utility companies, in any territory. As a result, EV drivers can travel without the worry of being too far from an allocated charge post or one supported by their provider.

Utilities will also benefit, as the IT platform provides interoperable standards and payment support, reducing potential management issues with financial settlement and international conversion.

Part of the Green eMotion project, the initiative is funded by the European Union with the goal to establish a Europe-wide infrastructure for electric vehicles by 2015. This is part of the broader European Recovery Plan to reduce C02 emissions by 60 percent by the year 2050.

"This marketplace will pave the way for the electromobility mass market in Europe. It allows for open access to charging spots throughout Europe thus making the journey with an e-car simple and convenient," said Dr. Heike Barlag, Siemens AG, Project Coordinator Green eMotion.

Based on IBM software and IBM SmartCloud Enterprise, the project creates a scalable open-standards environment that enables manufacturers and service providers to link their various services according to consumer and industry requirements. Using analytic software, participants will also have the insight to develop new or improved services to support more electric vehicles as the market grows. Green eMotion partners such as Enel, SAP and Siemens developed the required EV services.

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