Elli, the Volkswagen Group’s brand for charging and energy, has expanded its business by launching energy trading as a service for external customers. The company is now offering structured procurement of renewable electricity to help businesses manage their energy costs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Since January, Elli has been handling electricity procurement from renewable sources for a major industrial client, using its access to the EPEX SPOT market. This approach aims to balance fluctuations in wind and solar power production through targeted buying and selling of electricity. Elli obtained its trading license on EPEX SPOT, Europe’s largest electricity exchange, in 2023 and completed an intensive test phase before rolling out these services.
Giovanni Palazzo, CEO of Elli, said: “With the step from proprietary trading to energy services, Elli and the Volkswagen Group are opening up new business areas in a rapidly growing market environment. We will show how flexible and market-oriented electricity procurement works for energy-intensive companies and how we can support them in optimizing their energy use, for example through structured portfolio management, demand-side management, or the marketing of large-scale storage systems.”
The company’s spot market trading is designed to offer flexibility amid volatile energy markets. Many manufacturers face challenges securing renewable power at competitive prices. Elli’s services are intended not only to help meet sustainability targets but also provide opportunities for load optimization and cost savings. According to the company, high-performance partners with strong credit ratings are needed for effective energy management and price risk mitigation—an area where Elli sees itself as well positioned within the Volkswagen Group.
Elli became a member of EPEX SPOT in July 2023. During several months of pilot operations, it successfully traded electricity using its smart energy platform that automates integration of assets like stationary battery storage into the market. Following successful tests, Elli expanded its trading team and now operates around the clock in short-term markets.
Tobias Canz, CFO of Elli, stated: “With the creation of the organizational structures, the personnel expansion of the Elli Trading Team, and the new rollout of retail-related products for partners, a new phase is starting for us. Live operations have shown that our systems and processes work in the energy market: they are secure, stable, and scalable.”
Elli plans to showcase further innovations at IAA Mobility 2025 at the Volkswagen Group stand in Hall B1. The Volkswagen Group Tech Day on September 10 will feature additional product launches.
More information about Elli can be found at www.volkswagen-group.com and www.elli.eco.
