NEXT25’s “Innovation in Motion” panel brought together Maria Grazia Davino from BYD and Helene Neugebauer from Octopus Energy, alongside moderator David Mattin. Their dialogue cut across the frontiers of energy, mobility and technology. It focused sharply on what it will take to guide Europe toward a clean, clever future.

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Cars as energy assets

Maria’s vision rethinks the electric car – not just as a means of mobility, but as an active participant in the energy system. Electric vehicles are increasingly serving as portable batteries; they are storing energy that can be returned to homes and the grid through vehicle-to-grid technology. In this model, the car becomes a “battery on wheels” and a potential profit centre, powered by bi-directional charging and smart software. This shift is already underway. BYD is pioneering affordable, high-quality EV models and expanding partnerships with major European players to bring these innovations to customers at every level of the market.

Scepticism remains, especially when it comes to entrusting grid stability to consumer assets. But Maria points out that informed EV drivers and maturing technology are steadily changing minds. She’s confident that as the benefits become clear and the supporting infrastructure grows, customers will be ever more willing to help steer this transformation. This will turn the energy transition from an abstract goal into a practical benefit for households.

Building partnerships

Both Maria and Helene highlighted how progress depends on robust partnerships. BYD and Octopus already collaborate in the UK, helping bridge the gap between electric transport and clean energy. Helene described partnerships as dynamic, demanding adaptability: trial-and-error, ongoing learning, and – most crucially – the human drive behind the effort.

Maria stressed that “partnering is a job,” best approached with clarity and mutual respect. Both smaller and larger partners must be open and proactive, with both sides contributing real value. The panel’s consensus was clear: technology can deliver only so far; persistent teamwork and a shared sense of mission are what move industries and societies forward.

Autonomy and user experience

On autonomy, Helene suggested Hamburg’s MOIA ride-share as an example of new forms of urban mobility emerging. Maria explained that BYD is already piloting autonomous vehicles. Dozens of new patents are filed daily – a sign of serious commitment. Yet widespread adoption hinges on local regulation, affordability and infrastructure. Highways in some countries, such as Switzerland, are well-suited for advanced autonomous systems, whereas cities like Naples may need to wait decades. Today, Level 2+ systems are standard, even though most users don’t notice.

Maria sees the next leap coming not just from the hardware, but from how people choose to spend time in their car. Digital cabins, made possible by sophisticated software, could transform travel into productive or relaxing experiences – redefining what mobility means for the individual.

Energy transition and the grid

Helene painted Octopus Energy as more than a utility: the company is shaping what energy networks can be – smart, affordable and green. Operating in 30 countries, Octopus invests billions in renewables and new projects that bring affordable energy to homes, making flexibility a central component of the grid. But Helene was frank about challenges: grids are stretched, redispatch costs are high, and grid connection can be slow. These bottlenecks need structural solutions – collaboration between developers, smarter market incentives and proactive upgrades.

Innovative projects like OctoFlexBW, built together with TransnetBW, pool vehicle batteries into virtual power plants. These distributed assets help balance supply and demand, address storage gaps, and make the entire system more resilient. Such efforts show how the energy transition must synchronise millions of actions. It’s a collaborative push from grid operators, technology firms and customers alike.

AI and electricity demand

Artificial intelligence, though still emerging, compounds the urgency. Its massive energy appetite is no longer theoretical. Helene argued that the answer lies in combining smart grids with scalable renewables – solar, wind and storage – all optimised by AI itself. We can harness waste heat from data centres, and reward flexible consumption, making networks far more efficient than today.

Five years from now

Asked about the coming five years, Maria sees BYD standing tall as a global manufacturer – with European production on the rise and a suite of affordable, innovative EVs tailored to local needs. Helene foresees Octopus deepening its investment in green projects and extending affordable energy to more homes, driven by technology and a consumer-first approach.

The landscape will continue to evolve as the lines between transport and energy blur: electric vehicles enabling cheaper, cleaner lives; energy providers building agility and fairness into their offerings; and ordinary citizens participating in a decentralised, dynamic marketplace.

Onwards: a shared journey

Looking ahead, the momentum is unmistakable. Electric vehicles are opening doors to a regenerative energy economy, and smart grids are smoothing out the bumps. Partnerships and collaboration, as Maria and Helene made clear, are the foundation – grounded in human effort, not just aspiration.

The transformation of transport and energy invites everyone to take part – not as passive consumers, but as engaged contributors and beneficiaries. The next chapter won’t be written by technology alone. It will be shaped by people, communities and the willingness to build forward, together.