Japanese car maker Toyota has signed deals with British Gas in the UK and Mobility House Energy in Germany to accelerate the rollout of smart EV charging.

This initiative is designed to offer Toyota and Lexus plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) drivers a seamless, intelligent and customer-centric charging experience, at home, at work and on the road.

To deliver this, Toyota has initiated partnerships with energy providers across Europe. These collaborations aim to create a value proposition by combining Toyota’s mobility expertise with the energy sector’s capabilities in grid flexibility, renewable integration and digital energy services.

The first tangible outcomes of these partnerships will be seen in 2026, with the launch of demand ride response (DSR) technology in the UK in collaboration with British Gas (www.britishgas.co.uk) and in Germany in collaboration with Mobility House Energy (www.mobilityhouse.com). These DSR services will bring a range of direct benefits to users, including:

• Lower energy bills through smart charging that automatically shifts charging to off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper.
• Enhanced convenience with intelligent scheduling and remote control via mobile apps.
• Access to renewable energy, enabling vehicle charging when green energy is most available.
• Incentives and rewards for participating in grid-balancing programmes.

Beyond individual benefits, these also support wider grid sustainability by helping balance electricity demand, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based peaking power plants, enabling greater integration of intermittent renewable sources such as wind and solar, and reducing grid extension costs.

Looking ahead, Toyota plans to expand its energy collaborations to additional countries and introduce more advanced technology, including vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration. This will allow EVs not only to draw energy from the grid but also return it when needed, turning vehicles into mobile energy assets and unlocking new value streams for users.

“This initiative is a key milestone in Toyota’s broader electrification strategy and supports its ambition to contribute to a more sustainable society,” said Leon Van Der Merwe, vice president at Toyota Motor Europe (www.toyota-europe.com). “By enabling smart, flexible and green charging, Toyota is helping to shape a future where mobility and energy work hand in hand for the benefit of customers, communities and the planet.”