As Europe faces rising energy-security concerns, volatile electricity markets and growing grid congestion, a new generation of energy solutions is emerging that could turn these challenges into opportunities. Recorded live at The smarter E Europe 2026 in Munich, this episode explores how EVs, smart charging, and vehicle-to-grid technology are transforming cars into active participants in the electricity system. These “batteries on wheels” have the potential to be friends rather than foes when it comes to electricity network functionality.
The Mobility House founder and CEO Thomas Raffeiner joins the pod to discuss the next phase of electrification and the company's renewed focus on energy services, following the sale of its fleet charging business. Raffeiner explains why fleet electrification is accelerating worldwide, how falling charging costs are bringing businesses closer to zero-cost and zero-emissions mobility – and why electric vehicles should be viewed as energy assets rather than as additional demand on the grid.
Also joining the podcast is Petrouschka Werther, Director of Sustainable Mobility at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, who shares how the Netherlands became a European EV-integration pioneer, with a fleet undergoing rapid transformation.
Werther explains how the country's speedy adoption of solar energy, heat pumps, and electric vehicles has created significant pressure on the electricity grid — and how smart charging and vehicle-to-grid solutions are now helping to relieve that congestion. She discusses innovative projects in cities such as Utrecht, where electric vehicles are already supporting local electricity networks, and outlines the European collaboration now underway to establish the technical standards and regulatory framework needed to scale V2G across the continent.
Together, these conversations paint a picture of an energy system where electric vehicles are able to become mobile batteries, flexible grid assets, and a critical component of a secure, affordable and renewable energy future.
About The smarter E Podcast
The smarter E podcast is all about the current trends and developments in a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry. Our host welcomes and interviews personalities who shape our industry and drive developments forward. A new episode is published bi-weekly on Thursdays.
Thomas Raffeiner is the founder and CEO of The Mobility House. His goal is a zero-emission energy and mobility future at no cost for all of us to achieve this net zero vision. In 2009, Thomas founded The Mobility House, one of the first service companies for electromobility in Europe. Today, he is working on innovative energy services and intelligent storage solutions.
Petrouschka Werther is Acting Director-General for Sustainable Mobility at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. She is responsible for the transition towards zero emission vehicles and fuels, in order to achieving climate, air quality & health goals. Petrouschka has a broad background at the Ministry. As deputy director for Civil Aviation, she was in charge of drawing up the White Paper on Aviation 2020 – 2050 and responsible for Sustainable Aviation, Connectivity and Drones.
Previously she has been responsible for various other fields at the ministry (f.i. road pricing), specializing in setting up public-private partnerships, with the Netherlands as a living lab for innovations that can be rolled out internationally.
Petrouschka holds degrees in Political Science and in Journalism, which she studied in the Netherlands and in the UK.