ENECHANGE announces new EV Charging app features, ENECHANGE EV Supporters program, and the debut of a new commercial

ENECHANGE Ltd. announces the launch of multiple new features and programs within its EV Charging business, including the Comparison with Gasoline Cost display feature in the EV Charging business app, the ENECHANGE EV Supporters” program, and our new commercial featuring actor and artist Non.

Background

In light of the international trend towards decarbonization and the Japanese government’s goal to have electric vehicles constitute 100% of all new passenger car sales by 2035, ENECHANGE has been operating its EV Charging business service since 2021. The company is actively rolling out 6kW Level 2 charging ports across the nation, designated for charging in condos and businesses as well as destination charging in commercial and lodging establishments. The number of Level 2 charging ports that have been installed and authenticated through the app is currently the highest in the nation*1.

*1As of November 2023, according to GoGoEV research.

Comparison with Gasoline Cost Display

While the number of new EV and PHEV vehicles sold in Japan is increasing each year, they still account for less than 4% of the total new car sales ratio*2. With the aim of promoting the shift towards EVs, the ENECHANGE EV Charge app now has a new feature on the charge completion page that allows comparison of charging fees with gasoline costs. Each time a user charges, they can quickly see how much they have saved compared to gasoline refueling.

To use the Comparison with Gasoline Cost display, app users must first register their model of the electric vehicle. The system compares the registered EV with an estimated equivalent gasoline vehicle of corresponding size and power to calculate the fuel efficiency. It then determines the amount of gasoline needed to travel the same distance made possible by the charging session and compares this to the charging fee. For example, if you charge using an ENECHANGE EV Charge 6kW charging port (10 minutes for 55 yen) for 3 hours, the total charging power will be 18kWh, and the charging fee will be 990 yen. In the case of a ‘Tesla Model 3 RWD,’ the efficiency is 127 Wh/km, allowing for travel up to 141.7 km after a 3-hour charge. If we calculate for an equivalent gasoline vehicle with a fuel economy of 12 km/L and the average retail price of gasoline is 175.5 JPY/L, then the cost of gasoline needed to travel the same distance would be 2070 yen. Therefore, a 3-hour charge represents a saving of 1080 yen.

Additionally, starting from late January 2024, the company is tentatively planning to release data on charging sessions, such as the savings amount compared to gasoline costs, monthly charging fees, and amount of charge. With the charging history visualized as data, it will make understanding the cost of charging simple, which makes household budget management easier. It will also allow users to see how much the running costs are reduced compared to gasoline vehicles.

*2ENECHANGE has calculated this based on the “Sales by Fuel Type (Passenger Cars)” from the Japan Automobile Dealers Association Federation and the “New Car Sales by Popular Name of Mini Four-Wheel Vehicles” from the National Mini Vehicle Association Federation.

Comparison with Gasoline Cost Display

About ENECHANGE EV Supporters

With 220,000 downloads and the number one*3 spot in EV charging service app user count, the ENECHANGE EV Charge app lists nationwide charging location information from multiple operators for free. A common problem for EV users is not being able to find a charging port after arriving at a charging location. The ENECHANGE EV Charge app provides detailed information on the exact location on-premises and directions from public roads to the charging ports, including photos and images to improve convenience. Attempts have also been made to provide detailed information for charging spots from other operators as well, though it has been a challenge to collect accurate information for the rapidly increasing number of charging locations.

The ENECHANGE EV Supporters program is aimed at eliminating these challenges, enhancing charging infrastructure information with the cooperation of the EV user community. Participants are recruited from users of the ENECHANGE EV Charge app to register as ENECHANGE EV Supporters. Points are given for sending photos and comments of charging locations through the app and for suggesting new charging locations to be listed. Accumulated points can be exchanged for original merchandise. Additionally, points can also be earned by completing switch procedures on ENECHANGE, the energy comparison site with the nation’s highest*4 user count.

*3 Number of iOS & Android downloads among five EV charging service companies (As of November 2023, according to data.ai research).
*4 Number of Unique Users among six utility comparison service companies (As of November 2023, according to Dockpit research).

Title	ENECHANGE EV Supporters
Description	A user-participation program aimed at promoting the development of a reliable EV charging infrastructure environment. Participants will be awarded points for their efforts, which can be exchanged for original merchandise.
Duration	First Phase December 6, 2023 to November 30, 2024
Application Method	To participate, the following two registrations are required: （1）Registration in the ENECHANGE EV Charge appp Go to “Menu” → “Registration Information,” and enter the required fields. ENECHANGE EV Charge app AppStore：https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id911721775 Google Play：https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.evsmart （2）Fill out the ENECHANGE EV Supporters Participation Registration Form If you agree to the terms of participation, please provide your telephone number and email address, then click “Submit.” Participation Registration https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGap3fG9b77g4CUYUwk7WGc00MhbAFtjV9Dvfh3bnJGrEbBQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
How to Earn Points	Participation registration for ENECHANGE EV Supporters: 2 points Sending photos and comments of charging spots through the EV Charging business app: 3 points Requesting to post information on an unregistered location: 3 points Completing procedures through ENECHANGE’s easy electricity and gas comparison service: 5 points Note: Sending of photos and comments for a charging location is limited to one time per location.
How to Check Points	Instructions provided via email. We are preparing to make it possible to check points within the app.
How to Redeem Points	Original merchandise will be sent upon completing each stage. 〈Bronze〉 Points required: 10 to 39 points Merchandise: Spa bag 〈Silver〉 Points required: 40 to 79 points Merchandise: ENECHANGE T-shirt 〈Gold〉 Points required: 80 points and more Merchandise: ENECHANGE umbrella 〈Platinum〉 Eligible: Top 30 point earners Merchandise: To be announced soon
Program Website	https://ev-charge-enechange.jp/for_drivers/ev-supporters/

New promotional campaign for 2024

Following the advertisement for the EV Charging business released in November 2022, the current commercial also features the actor and artist Non. The new commercial is also staged to the melody of the nursery rhyme ‘London Bridge,’ with Non cheerfully singing about the three top spots that the company holds: ‘Number one in the total number of installed charging ports,’ ‘Number one in app users,’ and ‘Number one in users of the energy bill review site.’ The commercial advertises installations at a cost of zero yen using government subsidies in the ‘basic charging version’ for condos and offices, and the ‘destination charging version’ for commercial facilities and lodging establishments. In addition to the official ENECHANGE YouTube channel, the commercial is scheduled to be broadcast via taxi commercials and elsewhere starting from January 2024.

≪Official videos≫
No.1 EV Charging business Basic Charging Version 　https://youtu.be/Y7MQ1kTBa0M
No.1 EV Charging business Destination Charging Version　 https://youtu.be/kkE023d-iZI

≪Performer Profile≫

Non, actor and artist from Hyogo Prefecture. Active in a broad range of professions, including acting, music, film production, and art.

ENECHANGE EV Charge

ENECHANGE EV Charge is an all-in-one service to install charging facilities for electric vehicles at condominiums, commercial facilities, lodging facilities, and other destination locations starting at 0 yen per month. It currently has the highest number of installed EV charging ports in Japan. ENECHANGE EV Charge also offers a variety of services for EV users. Not only can you search for charging spots, but anyone can use the charging port at any time, paying only for what you use without a monthly fee. Charging is also possible using the charging cards issued by e-Mobility Power and various car companies. Its user-friendly design has been recognized with a Good Design Award for the fiscal year 2023.

URL: https://ev-charge-enechange.jp/
X: https://twitter.com/enechange_ev

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 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