SCALE and Smart Charging: Building a fair and resilient energy future
- Thamires Pecis
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
The future of mobility is electric. But with more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, the question is no longer if we will charge them, but how.
Think of it this way: a car plugged in at the right time can save its driver money, reduce stress on the grid, and even make better use of renewable energy. That is the promise of smart charging, and it is already becoming reality.
The SCALE project, a Horizon Europe initiative running until 2025, is making this future possible. With a €10 million budget and 29 partners, including UEMI, it brings together cities, researchers, companies and EV pioneers to unlock the potential of smart charging and vehicle-to-everything (V2X).
At its heart, SCALE is not only about technology. It is about people and how energy can become more reliable, fair and inclusive.
Why smart charging matters
Imagine coming home after a long day and knowing your EV charges itself when electricity is cheap and the grid is less busy. That is what smart charging enables. For drivers, it means lower bills. For cities, it means fewer risks of power overload. For society, it means using more solar and wind energy when it is available. SCALE has shown through pilots in Europe that this is not a distant vision. It works and it benefits everyone.
“Electric mobility isn’t just about cleaner transport, it’s about reimagining how we live, move, and connect. With the SCALE project driving innovation across Europe, and Utrecht leading the way with the first V2G car-sharing service, we’re witnessing a shift from ambition to action. This is what progress looks like: cities embracing smart infrastructure, people choosing sustainable options, and technology working in harmony with everyday life. The road to a greener future isn’t distant it’s unfolding right now, one smart charge at a time.” - Shruti Raje, UEMI, SCALE Project
EVs as powerhouses on wheels
Now imagine your EV not just taking energy from the grid but also giving it back. A parked car becomes more than a vehicle. It becomes a small power station.
This is the potential of V2X. Families could keep their lights on during a blackout. Offices could rely on EV fleets to cover peak demand. Bus depots could help stabilize the grid. Through SCALE, these scenarios are no longer fiction. They are being tested and proven today.
Energy justice with smart charging and V2X
But while Europe tests and refines these solutions, many parts of the world face a different reality. In rural areas across the Global South, a single night of rain can leave homes without power. Families stop cooking, children stop reading, and businesses pause their work. Energy inequality is not an abstract concept. It is daily life.
Here lies the true promise of V2X. By turning EVs into mobile energy storage, families could light a lamp, power a fan, or keep a fridge running even when the grid fails. Smart charging ensures that every kilowatt is used wisely, preventing waste and making life more predictable.
But there are still challenges to overcome, UEMI illustrates this with an analogy of Hanna and Anna: while Hanna, with her e-car, easily recharges at a station, Anna, on her e-moped, finds no compatible charger and has to abandon her trip. This everyday frustration highlights the need for systems that serve all vehicle types equally.
Building a resilient energy future
To make this vision possible, SCALE is also working on the rules that will guide tomorrow’s charging networks. Standards like ISO 15118 allow vehicles and chargers to “speak the same language”, enabling secure and automated communication.
By bringing together policymakers, cities, companies and researchers, SCALE is building trust and clarity. It is laying the groundwork for a system where charging is seamless, reliable and fair for all.
A roadmap for impact
Electric mobility is more than technology. It is about rethinking the relationship between transport and energy. With smart charging and V2X, we can create cities that are cleaner, communities that are stronger, and societies that are more equal.
For Europe, this accelerates decarbonization. For the Global South, it offers resilience in the face of inequality. For all, it brings us closer to a future where no one is left in the dark.
The SCALE project shows that the way we charge EVs can change the way we power our lives. As it nears its conclusion in 2025, it leaves a roadmap for interoperable, scalable and human-centered charging solutions.
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