NaaS Technology Inc. is one of China’s largest and most rapidly-growing electric vehicle charging services providers. It announced that it has entered into strategic partnerships with Zhejiang Green Intelligent Link Company, Ltd., a smart connected car platform provider. The partnership will offer one-stop charging solutions to meet the growing needs of electric vehicles (EVs) in China.
Vehicle owners using the Green Intelligent Link platform, as a NaaS partner, will be able to access a network high-quality charging piles provided by Kuaidian. NaaS’ solutions also offer vehicle owners who use Green Intelligent Link platform access to a variety of services, including card-based charging, balance allocation, charging order and invoicing. Green Intelligent Link and NaaS have begun to implement the charging pile interconnections. They also provide order data and payment services for smart charging scenarios. The solutions will provide commercial vehicle owners with efficient, cost-effective, and convenient charging services once they are completed.
Geely Commercial Vehicles was the first Chinese commercial vehicle company to concentrate on “going electric.” Farizon Auto, the brand’s first commercial vehicle brand in China, has completed the multipoint layout for multienergy systems and offers electric power options across its product lines. Green Intelligent Link is one of three Farizon Auto platform companies. It focuses primarily on urban delivery situations, and offers scenario-based fleet management services. Huilian Intelligent Control, Huilian Car Rental and Huilian Car Service are the customers of this company. The goal is to offer management services that span the entire lifecycle of delivery and logistics EVs.
The transition to electric power in China’s commercial vehicle market is also happening quickly to meet the country’s “dual carbon” goals. According to data from China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, 88,000 commercial EVs have been sold in China between January and May 2022. This is a 71.4% increase year-over-year, compared to the 41.9% drop in sales of conventional commercial vehicles. During the January-May 2022 period, 67,600 commercial EVs were sold that are used for delivery to urban areas.
China currently has 20 million logistics vehicles, with new-energy vehicles accounting for only 3%. The China VI vehicle emission standards will gradually increase the percentage of electric-powered delivery cars to 30%-40% within the next few decades. These issues, such as slow charging times and a shortage of support services facilities, will have to be addressed during this transition period.
Green Intelligent Link and NaaS will collaborate to improve charging efficiency, service capabilities, and overall vehicle owner experience. Yang Dong (Vice President of Geely New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group, and general manager at Green Intelligent Link) stated that commercial EVs are a growing area. Due to the unique vehicle configurations, commercial EV drivers have a greater need for support services. Service is a key need for commercial EV operators. It becomes imperative to provide support services throughout the value chain to satisfy the drivers’ needs. Operators have the option to take it one step further and implement intelligent management by working with all service providers along the value chain, in conjunction with digital tools.
“With the guidance and oversight of the relevant Chinese authorities in terms policy, the transition from commercial vehicles to electric power will continue accelerating,” stated Cathy Wang, founder and CEO of NaaS. “NaaS is a connector in the renewable energy sector. This partnership will allow drivers of commercial EVs access to an interconnected charging network across the country. Drivers can charge their cars, lower their costs, and help ensure the sustainability of the commercial EV industry’s growth.”
The rapid growth of renewable energy means that adapting commercial vehicles to run on electric power instead of fossil fuels is becoming a “need to-have” feature. This green transformation is being addressed by commercial EV service platforms like those offered by Green Intelligent Link, and third-party charging service providers like NaaS. They work together to improve operational services for commercial EVs as well as enhance charging services. Together they aim to drive large-scale adoption of EVs and contribute to carbon neutrality.