MOBILIZE POWERBOX: THE CHARGING STATION PRODUCED IN FRANCE BY LACROIX AND MARKETED BY THE RENAULT NETWORK
>> 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 the 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.
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 at the site of the new production line at 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.
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 strength that has made it possible to deliver this 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, data protection, secure identities and access management.
A charging station that is always in tune 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 thereby 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.
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 options in 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, by using 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 before the delivery of the car and within a maximum of 45 working days after the order.
About Mobilize
Mobilize, the brand of Renault Group dedicated to new mobility, offers a wide range of services around the vehicle thanks to an integrated technological platform: financing, insurance, payments, fleet management, energy, maintenance and refurbishing. Built around open ecosystems, Mobilize encourages a sustainable energy transition, in line with Renault Group’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality in Europe and its ambition to develop value from the circular economy.
About Software République
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: Atos, Dassault Systèmes, 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 startups 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 virtual twins, and on the ambition to invent a new model of innovation while keeping people and the environment at the heart of its motivations.
About LACROIX
A listed family-owned mid-sized company with a turnover of €708 million in 2022, LACROIX designs and manufactures electronic equipment for its customers' products, as well as IoT (hardware, software & cloud) and AI solutions, particularly for the automotive, industrial, connected homes and buildings, aeronautics and defense, and healthcare sectors. The Group also provides connected and secure equipment and solutions to optimize the management of critical infrastructures such as smart roads (public lighting, traffic management, V2X, signage) and remote control of water and energy infrastructure.
With its experience and its technological and business expertise, LACROIX works with its customers and partners to bridge the gap between the world of today and the world of tomorrow. It helps them build the industry of the future and benefit from the innovation opportunities that surround them, providing them with the equipment and solutions for a smarter world.
