A sustainable future requires a multipronged approach. It’s more than replacing a gas car with one that runs on electrons or sitting back and hoping your local utility moves as quickly as renewables can.
For those with the means, solar panels paired with a home battery can add an extra layer of eco-consciousness and electrical stability to their lives. However navigating the many solar panel and home battery options is a daunting process full of confusion as more and more players enter the market and reviews of each system do not exist.
Enter Hyundai Home, a marketplace launched last week during the Los Angeles Auto Show with the goal of easing the confusion of choosing solar panels, a home battery storage solution, and an EV charging system that suitable for a home. Unlike offerings from Tesla and GM, Hyundai doesn’t build or sell its own hardware. Instead, it partners with established industry players.
Unlike offerings from Tesla and GM, Hyundai doesn’t build or sell its own hardware
“A big part is speed to market,” Hyundai’s senior group manager of strategic environmental partnerships Ian Tupper said. The Verge. “We know there is a need for this market and there are companies that provide great products out there.”
Tupper pointed to Hyundai’s current partnership with Electrify America, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, as evidence of how well the company works with others in the space. Currently, new Hyundai EV owners are presented with a limited charge at Electrify America stations.
For the launch, Hyundai is working with ChargePoint for home charging stations, Enphase Energy for home batteries, Solaria for solar panels, and most importantly, Electrum to facilitate customer service. to choose their home energy setup and guide them through the process with personal “energy advisors” who can answer questions, walk through the process, and help customers deal with issues even if everything is installed.
One of the most important aspects of this market is that Electrum helps ensure that all relevant federal, state, and local incentives are applied to the setup purchase price. This has become even more important as federal incentives for solar panels have been increased under the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law earlier this year.
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Image: Hyundai
The system matches potential customers with a concierge who walks them through the system and ensures that any incentives are available. In addition to hardware partners, the advisor will send the potential customer three quotes from local electricians for installation. This level of hand-holding is Hyundai’s way of hoping it can differentiate itself from others with strong customer support.
“This whole thing is about accessibility. If we don’t make it easier from the off, there are going to be customers who are going to be skeptical,” Tupper said.
Income-based incentives in some areas can be added to federal rebates, making adding solar panels to a home less expensive for those interested in renewable energy but unable to pay for price tag. Hyundai hopes that becoming a one-stop shop for everyone interested in solar panels and EVs will help democratize the technology.
The automaker is also using its network of dealer partners to inform customers about Hyundai Home. Sellers can share a link with EV viewers who also inquire about replacing solar panels and batteries as well as installing a charging station. There is a financial incentive for the dealership because they receive a commission when a customer signs up.
“If we can’t do it more quickly from the off, we’re going to have customers who are going to be skeptical.”
Incentive marketing is not only a great way to make money but also answers the questions that have already been asked. Tupper said dealers are already fielding questions from people shopping for EVs about home energy solutions.
That shouldn’t be surprising. Home solar panel installations increased 23 percent in 2021 compared to 2020 based on the number of gigawatts installed in the country, according to the US Energy Information Administration. There could be another increase in installations in 2022 thanks in part to the tax increase from 26 percent to 30 percent due to the Inflation Reduction Act.
However, even before the increased federal rebate, a Pew Research Center survey found that 39 percent of homeowners had considered installing solar panels on their homes in the past 12 months. .
So there is growing demand, and Hyundai continues to grow its EV portfolio with the recent unveiling of the Ioniq 6 as well as other offerings from other automakers under the Hyundai Motor umbrella, including Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60. If you’re putting electric vehicles out into the world, it’s a good idea to make sure the home charging experience is seamless, especially when customers ask you about next steps.
At launch, Hyundai Home only works in 16 states. But Tupper said they are working on adding more states for the future but could not come up with a timeline.
At launch, Hyundai Home only works in 16 states
“As we meet our customer experience goals and make sure everything is working, we’ll push it as quickly as possible to other states,” Tupper said. There are also many partners coming to the market, including a potential charging station that supports the vehicle’s charging capabilities because Hyundai’s car supports the technology.
While Hyundai doesn’t deploy its own hardware, it fills an important role. In the transition to a more sustainable grid and transportation system, home energy production is likely to play an important role. Now, it’s a confusing mess trying to figure out which hardware solutions work best while also navigating federal, state, and local incentives. Even without its own appliances attached to the homes, Hyundai may have helped fuel the move.
