Charge point operator Pod Point is branching into battery energy storage systems and flexibility services with a raft of new deals.

Pod Point is exploring opportunities to bring home storage batteries to customers while also checking out grid flexibility services

The business, which has shipped more than 222,000 charge points in the UK, has signed an agreement with Chinese battery maker Gotion High-Tech, European EV battery startup Inobat and Oxford spinout Brill Power to share expertise in power battery technology.

The firms will explore opportunities to bring home storage batteries to customers, enabling residents to power homes or charge EVs, while also ensuring consumers can optimise their energy usage and charge during periods of low cost and when electricity on the grid is cleanest. This will help customers to significantly reduce energy costs and minimise carbon emissions.

Pod Point said the memorandum of understanding was a significant step forward in the company’s evolution, and its commitment to providing comprehensive home charging solutions.

Andy Palmer, CEO at Pod Point, commented: “It supports our commitment to providing comprehensive home charging solutions and will help advance the take-up of home energy solutions. Home batteries will provide our customers with a cost-efficient energy solution while contributing to a more sustainable energy future.”

Steven Cai, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Gotion High-tech, added: “We look forward to lending our technology expertise in the battery field and collaborating with the group to develop competitive and quality home battery solutions for residential customers, while also helping to advance carbon neutral efforts in Europe.”

The deal forms part of Pod Point’s new focused strategy, implemented under recently appointed CEO Andy Palmer, who joined after company founder Eric Fairbairn departed this summer.

The business is also entering into a six-month trial with Centrica to explore opportunities for the provision of flexibility services, supporting Pod Point’s expansion into energy flexibility.

With grid flexibility a core focus for the newly announced Pod Point strategy, the trial will allow Pod Point to explore opportunities for the future provision of flexibility services to Centrica – either independently and / or integrated with utility tariffs.

The collaboration will focus on providing flexibility services to shared Pod Point and British Gas customers which, alongside their British Gas tariff, will enable them to optimise their EV charging in terms of cost and carbon footprint. Centrica will also benefit from adding the flexibility gained from the joint customers to its ‘virtual power plant’.

Pod Point is also continuing its partnership with energy giant EDF to drive further innovation in EV charging. The two companies have signed a letter of intent to explore opportunities for participation within the UK grid flex market and new EV tariff partnerships.

This follows last month’s launch of Pod Point’s EV Exclusive tariff, powered by EDF, which gives new home charging customers access to one of the cheapest EV tariffs in the UK. The two firms are now exploring the launch of further EV tariff partnerships.

Separately, Pod Point has also extended its preferred supplier agreement on home chargers for the entire portfolio of Mercedes-Benz all-electric and plug-in hybrid models until June 2026.

Mercedes-Benz retail and corporate customers will benefit from a preferential rate on a Pod Point Smart Solo 3 7kW charger and can also benefit from Pod Point and EDF’s EV Exclusive tariff.