Software République launches Mobilize Powerbox at Lacroix factory

Paris, 8th February 2024

Mobilize PowerBox, the smart, connected, secure and bidirectional charging station, starts production at LACROIX’s Symbiose electronics plant located in Beaupréau-en-Mauges (Maine-et-Loire, France) with an initial capacity of 65,000 units/year.
Developed by members of Software République (Orange, Renault Group, STMicroelectronics and Thales) and their technology partner IoTecha Corp, Mobilize PowerBox makes it possible to safely charge all electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The charging station is available in four versions. The bidirectional version (V2G) not only allows you to charge your vehicle but also to send electricity back to the grid. Its connectivity contributes to an intelligent management of the electricity grid. Thanks to the “My PowerBox” app, the load control and monitoring of these four versions is done remotely.
Mobilize PowerBox and its home installation are offered by Mobilize Power Solutions throughout the Renault network to facilitate the transition of users to electric vehicles.

On February 8, 2024, partners from Software République’s innovation ecosystem (Orange, Renault Group, STMicroelectronics and Thales) will meet for the industrial launch of the Mobilize PowerBox charging station on the new production line of the Symbiose electronics plant in Beaupréau-en-Mauges (Maine-et-Loire, France). The initial production capacity is 65,000 units/year. The Mobilize PowerBox charging station will soon be marketed in the Renault network for all electric vehicles of Renault Group brands.

Mobilize PowerBox: a charging station made in France by LACROIX

LACROIX, an expert in the design and manufacture of connected equipment and solutions, is equipping its Symbiose plant with a new production line for the manufacture of the Mobilize PowerBox terminal. LACROIX has the capacity to produce, initially, 65,000 units/year thanks to its automated and digitalized Industry 4.0 strategy. In the event of larger volumes, the production line can be adapted or even duplicated to meet the growing expectations of the market. Symbiose is the group’s 4.0 plant, inaugurated in September 2022, located in Beaupréau-en-Mauges in Maine-et-Loire. It is part of the group’s desire to contribute to the relocation of the electronics sector in France. In addition, the plant benefits from a network of local suppliers to reduce the carbon impact of the supply chain.

A unique concept by the founders and partners of Software République

The Software République is an innovation ecosystem dedicated to smart, secure and sustainable mobility. Thanks to the expertise of the members of Software République (Orange, Renault Group, STMicroelectronics and Thales) and their technology partner IoTecha Corp, Mobilize PowerBox has been designed to provide maximum cybersecurity and to guarantee a terminal that is always at the cutting edge of technology thanks to a remote update system. A collective strike force that has made it possible to deliver its charging station to Mobilize in record time. Each partner contributed according to their area of expertise:

IoTecha Corp: Field-proven smart charging hardware and software, industrial control, ISO15118 and OCPP protocols,
Orange: 4G telecommunications and associated services,
Renault Group: architecture of electric vehicle charging systems,
STMicroelectronics: semiconductor components: microprocessor, communication, and security,
Thales: cybersecurity and data protection with a secure management system

A Charging station that is always in step with the times and its environment

Mobilize PowerBox is a charging solution that adapts to all electrical installations, single-phase or three-phase. It can be installed both indoors and outdoors, on a wall or on a stand. At home, its use is integrated into the electrical ecosystem of the house. It benefits from a dynamic energy management system that allows the charging power to be modulated by adapting to the available power avoiding any power outages in the house.

The Mobilize PowerBox is powered by alternating current (AC). It delivers a charging power of up to 22 kW, depending on the electrical installation and the charging capacity of the vehicle. Mobilize PowerBox is compatible with all electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles equipped with a Type 2 plug

Mobilize PowerBox: a range of four charging stations to meet all needs

To adapt to the different needs of individuals and professionals, Mobilize PowerBox is available in four versions:

UNO : for individuals looking for a simple and secure home charging solution.

UNO PLUS : for infrastructures installed in companies or condominiums. It incorporates an RFID card reader to ensure that only authorized users have access to the charge. This will give the manager better traceability of usage.

UNO PRO : for charging stations that would be accessible to the public and for charging stations installed at employees’ homes. This version has an RFID reader and a MID (Measurement Instruments Directive) meter for electricity rebilling. Indeed, the MID meter simplifies the reimbursement of employees’ professional expenses by certifying the electricity consumed during home charging.

VERSO : (bidirectional): to charge your vehicle but also to send electricity back to your home grid and the public grid. This version will generate significant savings for users. Thanks to alternating current technology, Mobilize PowerBox VERSO allows access to as many people as possible a bidirectional charging of their vehicle, so helping to maximize the impact of smart energy management. This two-way charging station will be available for the launch of the electric Renault 5.

All these versions will benefit from automatic updates and remote diagnostics (FOTA, firmware over the air) via WiFi or Ethernet connection. They will be equipped with a type 2 secure socket or a 6.5 m cable (outside France). The UNO PRO and VERSO versions also have a 4G connection.

The “My PowerBox” app to control and monitor your charge remotely

“My PowerBox” allows users to control their charging remotely and view their consumption history. The app also offers to defer charging during the night (between midnight and 6 a.m.), thus optimizing the cost of charging according to the options of the electricity contract. In addition, users will be able to receive alerts on their app so that they are always informed when their charging session ends. To prevent unauthorized use of the charging station, customers will be able to lock access from their app.

A simplified purchasing process to facilitate the transition to electric

The purchase and installation of a Mobilize PowerBox charging station will be offered to all customers when purchasing their electric vehicles in the Renault network. To facilitate the transition to electric mobility, they will be able to opt for an “all-inclusive” charging solution offer, developed in partnership with Mobilize Power Solutions: a fixed price is established according to the characteristics of the installation at home, in particular the location of the charging station in relation to the electricity meter, thanks to an innovative tool based on Google Maps. There is no need for a prior technical visit, a simple videoconference check is carried out by a Mobilize Power Solutions expert upstream in order to verify the compliance of the customer’s electrical installation. An appointment is then scheduled to install the charging station, guaranteed before the delivery of the car and within a maximum of 45 working days after the order.

For more information about the Software République :
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/softwarerepublique/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SoftwareRepublique/

Press Contacts

Software République: Mark York – +33(0)6 76 29 67 61 – mark.york@renault.com
Orange Business: Séverine Belhomme Moisand – +33(0)6 07 34 95 61 – severine.belhommemoisand@orange.com
Groupe Renault: Coralie Jolly – +33 (0)6 85 91 09 38 – coralie.jolly@rpbyco.com
Mobilize: Petra Le Luel – +33 (0)6 03 11 56 74 – petra.le-luel@mobilize.com
STMicroelectronics: Nelly Dimey – +33 (0)6 75 00 73 39 – nelly.dimey@st.com
Thales: Vanessa Viala – +33 (0)6 07 34 00 34 – vanessa.viala@thalesgroup.com
Lacroix: Lorella Contardo – +33 (0)6 45 81 51 81 – lacroix@looksharp.fr

The Software République is defined as an open innovation ecosystem dedicated to intelligent, secure, and sustainable mobility. It was created in April 2021 by six founding members: Dassault Systèmes, Eviden, Orange, Renault Group, STMicroelectronics and Thales.

The Software République builds collective businesses focused on tomorrow’s mobility through its unique horizontal collaboration model. The ecosystem stands out for its innovative approach, combining established companies and start-ups from different backgrounds to bring to market products and services that meet the new challenges of the connected vehicle, the smart city and energy. These projects are based on the complementary expertise of its partners in data analysis, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, connectivity, and digital twins, and on the ambition to invent a new model of innovation while keeping people and the environment at the heart of its motivations.

Eviden is a next-gen technology leader in data-driven, trusted and sustainable digital transformation with a strong portfolio of patented technologies.

With worldwide leading positions in advanced computing, security, AI, cloud and digital platforms, it provides deep expertise for all industries in more than 47 countries. Bringing together 47,000 world-class talents, Eviden expands the possibilities of data and technology across the digital continuum, now and for generations to come. Eviden is an Atos Group company with an annual revenue of c. € 5 billion.

Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, is a “gas pedal of human progress”. It offers companies and individuals collaborative virtual environments enabling them to imagine more sustainable innovations.

By developing a virtual twin of the real world through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and its applications, Dassault Systèmes empowers its customers to push the boundaries of innovation, learning and production, to create a more sustainable world for patients, citizens and consumers.

Dassault Systèmes creates value for its 300,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries and in more than 140 countries.

Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 43.5 billion euros in 2022 and 136,000 employees worldwide at 31 December 2022, including 75,000 employees in France.

The Group has a total customer base of 287 million customers worldwide at 31 December 2022, including 242 million mobile customers and 24 million fixed broadband customers. The Group is present in 26 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan “Lead the Future”, built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. “Lead the Future” capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange’s leadership in service quality. Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN). More information on the Orange News app or follow us on Twitter: @orangegrouppr. Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

Renault Group is at the forefront of a mobility that is reinventing itself. Strengthened by its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors, and its unique expertise in electrification, Renault Group comprises 4 complementary brands – Renault, Dacia, Alpine and Mobilize – offering sustainable and innovative mobility solutions to its customers.

Established in more than 130 countries, the Group has sold 2.1 million vehicles in 2022. It employs nearly 106,000 people who embody its Purpose every day, so that mobility brings people closer.

Ready to pursue challenges both on the road and in competition, Renault Group is committed to an ambitious transformation that will generate value. This is centred on the development of new technologies and services, and a new range of even more competitive, balanced, and electrified vehicles. In line with environmental challenges, the Group’s ambition is to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040.

More information www.media.renaultgroup.com

At ST, we are 48,000 creators and manufacturers of microelectronic technologies. We control the entire semiconductor supply chain with our state-of-the-art production facilities.

As an integrated component manufacturer, we work with over 200,000 customers and thousands of partners. With them, we design and create products, solutions and ecosystems that respond to their challenges and opportunities, and to the need to contribute to a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient energy and power management, and large-scale deployment of the Internet of Things (IoT) and connectivity.

ST is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2027.

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a world leader in high technology, investing in digital and deep tech innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum – to build a future of trust, essential to the development of our societies.

The Group offers solutions, services and products that help its customers – companies, organizations and governments – in the fields of defense, aeronautics, space, transport and digital identity and security, to fulfill their critical missions by putting people at the heart of decision-making. Thales employs 81,000 people in 68 countries. In 2021, the Group generated sales of €16.2 billion.