At our side event during Energy Tech Summit in Bilbao, Gridio hosted a panel discussion on one of Europe’s biggest upcoming energy opportunities: how millions of electric vehicles can become flexible grid assets.

With EV adoption accelerating, the question is no longer whether vehicles will impact the power system. The real question is who will create the customer experience, trust layer, and optimization engine needed to unlock that value.

Together with leaders from Encevo, KIA Connect and EnergyHub, we discussed what comes next.

Here are five signals shaping the future of EV flexibility.

1. EVs Are Becoming a Major Growth Opportunity for Utilities

As heating and transport electrify, utilities need new sources of demand growth. EV charging may become one of the largest and most predictable revenue opportunities in a decarbonized power market.

For many suppliers, EV customers are no longer a niche segment. They are a strategic growth segment.

The companies that build compelling EV tariffs, smart charging programs and loyalty products early may gain a lasting advantage.

2. Trust May Matter More Than Features

One recurring theme was customer trust.

Many consumers have limited engagement with their utility provider, but strong daily engagement with their vehicle brand. That creates an important reality for the market: adoption may depend less on technical capability, and more on where the experience lives.

If smart charging feels native inside the car ecosystem, participation can increase significantly.

3. The Industry Is Moving From Hacks to Official APIs

For years, parts of the EV ecosystem relied on unofficial integrations and reverse-engineered connections.

That model does not scale for energy trading, demand response, or enterprise partnerships.

The next phase requires official OEM relationships, stable APIs, customer consent flows and service-level reliability.

This shift is already underway, and it will define the next winners in EV energy services.

4. Connectivity Alone Is Not Enough

Connecting to a vehicle is only step one.

The real value comes from optimization:

• charging when prices are lowest
• prioritizing surplus solar generation
• responding to grid events
• protecting battery usability
• automating everything for the driver

This is where software platforms become essential. Data access alone does not create customer value.

5. No Single Player Can Win Alone

Utilities understand tariffs and markets.

OEMs own trusted customer relationships and vehicle interfaces.

Software platforms deliver orchestration, automation and cross-market scale.

No single stakeholder can solve EV flexibility end-to-end.

The future will be built through collaboration.

Why This Matters Now

Europe’s energy market is fragmented, fast-moving and increasingly dynamic. That makes EV flexibility both more complex and more valuable.

The winners of the next phase will not simply connect cars. They will turn EV batteries into effortless energy assets for everyday customers.

At Gridio, that is exactly where we are focused.

Interested in launching smart charging, solar charging or flexibility services for your customers? Get in touch with Gridio.

You also have a change to be part of the panel and watch the whole discussion.