Citroen and ubitricity have agreed to make electric mobility more available to drivers in European cities. The alliance intends to encourage drivers to transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and to assist other communities in providing people with on-street EV charging. By collaborating with innovative solution providers to create a full-service package for drivers and communities, the goal is to raise awareness of alternative mobility options and help the energy transition.
The relationship will begin in London and assist Citroen Ami purchasers when it goes on sale in September 2022. Customers who purchase a new Citroen Ami receive three months of free charging on the ubitricity network of over 5,500 lamp post EV charging stations around Greater London and the United Kingdom. Ami drivers can begin a free recharge by entering a unique code into the Shell Recharge app.
In Europe, the collaboration will make the transition to electric vehicles easier by installing more lamppost charges in more places. Citroen's increasing EV fleet will have access to ubitricity EV chargers in a rising number of regions across Europe, and the cooperation will strive to expedite this growth. Using existing infrastructure in metropolitan areas, like street lamps, provides a quick and cheap option to create a dense network of charging points without extensive design procedures. On-street EV charging options enable drivers without a private driveway or garage to contemplate owning an EV.
Aside from the collaboration, there are two ways to access the ubitricity charging network: scan a QR code connected to the charging station with your smartphone and follow a few instructions on the access page - no subscription or app is necessary. Alternatively, you can use apps from any provider, such as Shell Recharge, which provides extra functionality to keep track of all charging operations as well as a monthly payment plan.
"The concepts of Citroen's Ami and ubitricity's lantern charging stations fit - they are minimalist, space-saving and simple, resource-saving and inexpensive for everyone," explains Daniel Kunkel, CEO of ubitricity. In many European cities, space is at a premium, and for EV drivers without private parking, ubitricity's light pole charging solution provides simple and cheap access to on-street charging right on their doorstep."
"We are thrilled to be partnering with ubitricity on this project," says Laurent Barria, Citroen's Director of Global Marketing and Communications. The Citroen Ami provides a comprehensive solution for urban mobility to make freedom of movement more manageable and accessible to the most significant number of people feasible."
ubitricity and Citroen will share more information on the partnership's cooperative projects in the coming months.