Easelink, an Austrian startup in the field of automated (cableless charge pads) EV charging has announced an €8.3m Series A funding round led by SET Ventures with participation of EnBW New Ventures, Smartworks, and existing investor Hermann Hauser.
Easelink provides a fully automated charging experience and eliminates the need to plug in an electric vehicle by hand. Its Matrix Charging system comprises an underbody vehicle unit and a charge pad installed on the parking space. It says the technology is compatible with most major electric vehicle platforms and will be rolled out in a retrofit version as well as a factory-installed option for new cars.
The company claims its charging solution is cost-effective and energy-efficient, opening up automated charging not only for premium vehicles but also in the volume segment.
The funds will be used to keep growing the product team, expand collaborations within the automotive and infrastructure industries and continue the path towards a global automated charging standard.
Matrix Charging is already being used by key partners in several pilot projects, such as the eTaxi Austria project targeting automated charging of taxi fleets in Vienna and Graz.
“Alongside our strong automotive partners, we are happy to welcome our new investors who offer profound experience in EV charging infrastructure and the energy sector. This highlights Easelink’s ambition to set the global standard for automated charging,” said Hermann Stockinger, founder and CEO of Easelink.
“Automated charging is essential for a future of mobility that is electrified, autonomous and always connected. We support Easelink’s vision to fully integrate electric vehicles into a renewable energy system,” says Anton Arts, Managing Partner at SET Ventures, one of Europe’s leading venture capitalinvestors supporting the global energy system transition.
Smartworks is the venture arm of Wiener Stadtwerke and Wien Energie. Wien Energie is Austria’s largest energy provider and plays the lead strategic role in the eTaxi Austria project.