- Press Release
ENECHANGE EV Supporters report on the results of their first phase of activities
ENECHANGE Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Tomoya Maruoka) is pleased to announce the results of the first phase of its EV user participation program, ENECHANGE EV Supporters. Launched on December 6, 2023, the program had registered 2,107 users by the end of November 2024, with active participation from many supporters.
Notably, the monthly average number of comments posted on the ENECHANGE EV Charge App increased by approximately 2.2 times from its first year of operation (December 2022-November 2023; hereafter “Y1”) to its second year (December 2023-November 2024; hereafter “Y2”), with the ratio of comments with images rising by 31.0 percentage points. This has resulted in more comprehensive information being available about EV charging spots.
The second phase is set to begin in April 2025, and we will continue to strengthen our collaboration with EV Supporters to develop charging infrastructure that EV users can rely on with confidence.
Background to the introduction of ENECHANGE EV Supporters
In order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the Government has set a target of 100% electric vehicles in new passenger car sales by 2035. In order to accelerate the spread of electric vehicles (EVs), the development of charging infrastructure is crucial, and the demand from users is increasing year by year.
ENECHANGE EV Charge App offers free nationwide information on charging location, including those outside the ENECHANGE EV Charge network. ENECHANGE EV Charge locations provide detailed information on the physical site and accessibility of chargers, complete with photos and images for enhanced convenience. While other operators have also tried to supply detailed information about their charging spots, gathering daily updates on the increasing number of spots has proven challenging. ENECHANGE EV Supporters program seeks to address these challenges by expanding charging infrastructure information through the cooperation of EV users.
Achievements and results of the first phase of ENECHANGE EV Supporters
By the end of November 2024, the number of registered users had reached 2,107, indicating active participation by many EV supporters. In addition, between Y1 and Y2, the monthly average number of comments posted on the ENECHANGE EV Charge App increased by approximately 2.1 times, from 1,535 to 3,183, and the percentage of comments with images showing the installation status of chargers increased by 31.0 percentage points, from 44.1% to 75.1%.
Of the 1,288 charging locations covered by ENECHANGE EV Charge (in use before August 31, 2024)*1, at least one comment was posted for 1,283 locations, achieving a coverage rate of 99.6%. Locations with more comments tended to have higher occupancy rates, contributing to increased charger port utilization.*2
*1. Spots included in the tally: spots that became available before August 31, 2024 (spots that became available on or after September 1, 2024 are not included).
*2. Aggregation period for charging operation: charging time from the date of commencement of use.
Feedback from ENECHANGE EV Supporters
In a survey conducted among ENECHANGE EV Supporters, approximately 60% of participants expressed satisfaction with the program. Over 90% were eager to participate in the second phase.*3 The program also received high praise, with around 50% of participants believing that it positively influenced the outcomes of activities and the advancement of charging infrastructure.
User feedback is generally positive:
- “It’s great to see how my contributions can help other users.”
- “I can now recharge my batteries in places I’m visiting for the first time without getting lost.”
- “I now know the fault information and have peace of mind.”
The top reasons for participation in the Supporters’ activities were “I want to contribute to the improvement of EV charging infrastructure”, “Word-of-mouth information is useful” and “I want to support ENECHANGE”, with many users expressing their support for the social significance of improving charging infrastructure through this programme and for the ENECHANGE EV Charge.
Many users have expressed their support for the social significance of improving the charging infrastructure and for ENECHANGE EV Charge through this programme. Requests were received for umbrellas, stickers and charging coupons as original goods that can be redeemed from points earned by participants.
*3. Questionnaire survey of ENECHANGE Passport registrants (316 respondents, period December 2, 2024 – December 11, 2024, based on ENECHANGE research).
Future developments
In the first phase, thanks to the cooperation of many EV Supporters, we were able to achieve results such as enhanced information on charging spots and improved convenience. The second phase is scheduled for April 2025 onwards, and through continued cooperation with EV Supporters, we aim to provide enhanced information and create a network of convenient charging infrastructure.
ENECHANGE EV Supporters (Phase 1) Overview
| Name | ENECHANGE EV Supporters |
| Initiatives Overview |
This user-participation programme aims to promote the creation of a safe EV charging infrastructure environment. Points are awarded according to the initiatives and original goods are given away. |
| Period | Phase 1：December 6, 2023 – November 30, 2024 |
| Points:
How to earn |
● Registration for participation in ENECHANGE EV Supporters: 2 points ● Send a photo of the charging spot and a comment via the app: 3 points ● Request for information on unregistered spots: 3 points ● Completing the procedure for comparison of electricity and gas plans on “ENECHANGE”: 5 points *One photo and comment for each recharging location t may be sent once per location. |
| Points:.
How to exchange |
Original goods will be sent when each stage is achieved.
[Bronze] [SILVER] [GOLD] [Platinum] |
| Special website | https://ev-charge-enechange.jp/for_drivers/ev-supporters/ |
ENECHANGE EV Charge
ENECHANGE has been providing the EV Charging Service since November 2021 to contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society. ENECHANGE EV Charge is an EV charging service that allows the use of 3kW/6kW Level 2 charging ports installed at commercial facilities, accommodations, offices, and condominiums nationwide. It offers plans with zero installation and monthly fees, and is the No. 1*4 choice among many businesses for its total support from installation to operation.
ENECHANGE also has the No.1-downloaded*5 free app to allow for easy checking of charge port availability and conducting charging sessions and payment processes. Additionally, it enables searching for charging ports from ENECHANGE and other companies. By registering the vehicle model, it can display the difference between charging costs and gasoline costs, and suggest the optimal charging plan.
In addition to app payments, where the user only pays for the amount charged, charging cards provided by e-Mobility Power and various automobile companies are also available. Furthermore, the “ENECHANGE Passport”, flat-rate subscription plan of 2,980 JPY (tax included) per month, allows multiple charges during daytime hours and offers significant economic benefits especially to EV users without home charging facilities.
*4. Based on the number of installed Level 2 charging ports (6kW, 200V) by an app-based service provider (as of December 1, 2024, according to GoGoEV).
*5. Number of iOS & Android downloads among five EV Charging Service companies (as of October 31, 2024, according to data.ai research).
ENECHANGE EV Charge website: https://ev-charge-enechange.jp/
ENECHANGE EV Charge app
AppStore：https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id911721775
Google Play：https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.evsmart
ENECHANGE Ltd.
ENECHANGE is an energy technology company that promotes a carbon-free society through digital technology with the mission of Changing Energy For A Better World. We offer services based on data utilization in the field of the 4Ds of Energy: Deregulation, Digitalization, Decarbonization, and Decentralization. Our company’s roots come from an energy data lab at the University of Cambridge, UK – a country where liberalization is mature. ENECHANGE has a UK subsidiary, ENECHANGE Innovation Limited, as well as a global network and analytical technology for energy data.
URL: https://enechange.co.jp/en/
■For inquiries
ENECHANGE Ltd.
pr@enechange.co.jp
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