The DriVe2X project convened a week of high-level collaboration and innovation exchange on the Isle of Wight from 16 to 19 September 2025, combining its third General Assembly with a UK–EU Engagement Session on Smart Charging and V2X. The events marked an important milestone in accelerating the adoption of vehicle-grid integration technologies across Europe and the United Kingdom.
Over four days, the consortium’s partners and guests gathered to assess progress, share insights and strengthen cooperation towards a more sustainable and user-centred energy ecosystem.
The General Assembly, held from 16 to 18 September, showcased the project’s technological advances and engagement activities. Partners discussed progress in the development of tools and platforms supporting smart charging, flexible energy markets, and end-user engagement.
The Assembly also featured the presentation of results from the V2X user survey, which explored citizens’ attitudes and behavioural patterns related to bidirectional charging. With more than 3,300 completed surveys across five European regions, the findings revealed strong long-term interest in smart charging technologies, driven by motivations such as sustainability, cost savings, and energy independence
On 17 September, participants visited the Luccombe Hall Hotel to experience the Isle of Wight pilot site, a demonstration of Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) integration in the tourism sector. The demo highlighted how hotels and accommodation facilities can use bidirectional charging to optimise energy costs, support grid stability, and enhance sustainability, offering a replicable model for other regions across Europe
Connecting the dots: the UK–EU engagement session on smart charging and V2X
The final two days (18–19 September) were dedicated to the UK–EU Engagement Session on Smart Charging and V2X, co-organised by DriVe2X and Innovate UK. Held at the Bourne Hall Hotel in Shanklin, the event gathered over 20 organisations representing research bodies, innovators, and policymakers from both sides.
The networking reception on 18 September gave participants the opportunity to present their organisations and ongoing projects in rapid-fire pitches, fostering connections between key European and UK V2X initiatives.
The plenary session on 19 September featured:
- Presentations of leading V2X projects such as SCALE, EV4EU, FLOW, and NEVERFLAT, offering a snapshot of ongoing innovation across Europe.
- Thematic discussions on five priority topics: data and cybersecurity, battery degradation, interoperability, user aspects, and policy frameworks. Moderated by experts from Charge My Street, LUT University, Hangar19, Cybermoor, and ERTICO, these sessions underlined the shared commitment to scaling V2X deployment through collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Key takeaways and future outlook
The week in the Isle of Wight demonstrated how DriVe2X is not only advancing technology, but also fostering the partnerships and public understanding required for real-world V2X integration.
- Key lessons emerging from the events include:
- The critical role of interoperability and data governance in ensuring robust and user-friendly V2X systems.
- The importance of engaging citizens and end-users early to drive adoption and trust in smart charging technologies.
- The value of cross-border collaboration in aligning innovation efforts, regulatory frameworks, and investment strategies between the UK and EU.
As DriVe2X moves toward its final implementation phase, the project will continue to demonstrate and disseminate its achievements, culminating in its final General Assembly in Budapest and final dissemination event in Brussels in 2026.
Below are some pictures from the events.
Photo credits: Robin Crossley, Leonardo Improta