Munich Charging without a cable is an idea that is almost as old as the electric car. Providers have been developing inductive systems for a number of years, but they have not yet caught on. “Inductive charging is too expensive and too inefficient,” Easelink founder Hermann Stockinger is convinced.
The Austrian start-up therefore relies on so-called conductive charging. When the vehicle is parked over an Easelink charging plate, a kind of charging nozzle is automatically lowered from the underbody of the vehicle and makes direct contact with the charging matrix. An intelligent charging management system then controls the entire charging process.
In order for the idea to prevail, Easelink relies on prominent partners: the start-up cooperates with Audi and Schaeffler. The VW premium subsidiary is “an innovation leader” in this area, says Stockinger. “And of course we are pursuing the goal of going into series production together as soon as possible.” Audi is working on being able to offer customers automated, conductive charging in the near future, according to industry circles.
Stockinger also praises the cooperation with the automotive supplier Schaeffler, which is helping the start-up to win new partners in the industry for the idea: “Together with Schaeffler, we have been conducting very specific talks with the major automobile manufacturers for a long time.”
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At Schaeffler, it is said: “An important prerequisite for the suitability for everyday use of e-cars are convenient charging systems.” That is why the market is being monitored closely – and with it the innovative conductive charging system from Easelink. EnBW New Ventures is also a prominent name among Easelink investors.
The future of the store will be automated, Stockinger said. “The idea was to find the optimal solution technically and economically.” The price of the Matrix charging system for your own garage with the function in the vehicle and the charging pad at the parking lot is around 2000 euros in the range of a high-quality wall box, which you can no longer need. In public spaces, the charging pads in the parking lot are cheaper than conventional charging stations – and there are no more cables hanging around and columns standing in the way.
In the next two years, the technology will be tested in Vienna and Graz as part of the “eTaxi Austria” project. For this purpose, more than 50 taxis in Vienna will be equipped and automatically charged at the stands while waiting for customers.
Well-known investors
Easelink’s claim is high: they want to set “the new standard for connecting electric cars to the power grid”. There are also skeptical voices in the industry who question whether a start-up can succeed in setting global standards. Constantin Schwab, founder of the charging station specialist Wirelane, sees little chance for the approach on the market. The solution is technologically impressive at first glance. But the hurdles for a new industry standard are high. When it came to the charging connection, it took a long time before the large, competing manufacturers were able to agree on a common plug. In addition, industry standards and patents are mutually exclusive.
After all, Easelink was recently able to convince the experienced investor SET, who has had a stake in the company since the last round of financing. With the Greenflux charging platform, the Dutch have already made an exit in the area of charging station infrastructure.
With his start-up, the founder wants to create a new standard in the industry.
(Photo: Easelink)
Easelink boss Stockinger wants to slowly establish conductive charging with a clear plan. Supermarket car parks or normal gas stations would not have to be equipped with them from the start. “In the first step, our system is a perfect solution for the home in the premium segment.” The customer can book the equipment as an accessory when buying a new car. The garage at home is then tidied up, and a high-voltage socket is sufficient for the connection.
The vehicle is then always connected when it is in the garage. It can also be better used to optimize the domestic energy system, for example in combination with a photovoltaic system on the roof.
A number of initiatives for inductive charging
The search for perfect charging solutions is currently being pursued on many levels because the development of the infrastructure has been slow so far. There was another setback recently when it became known that the planned “Germany network” of 1100 fast-charging parks could violate European law. With a volume of up to two billion euros, it is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Germany.
Fast charging options, especially along the freeways, are one issue, the search for optimal charging options in cities and private garages is another. Many companies are currently making attempts in the direction of inductive charging. A complex infrastructure is also required here. In addition, the efficiency is usually lower and charging takes longer than with a cable.
In the future, taxis that are waiting for new customers should be easy to charge using charging pads in the floor.
(Photo: Easelink)
Nevertheless, there are many initiatives in the industry that are looking for an alternative to cable: Siemens recently invested in the US start-up Witricity. Together, the companies want to advance global standards for inductive charging. “Wireless charging allows drivers to easily park, walk away, and return to a charged vehicle,” said Witricity CEO Alex Gruzen.
The Magment company is developing magnetic concrete that enables inductive charging. The Israeli start-up Electreon, on the other hand, uses induction coils in the road surface.
Other start-ups such as Prodrive Technologies from the Netherlands are also working on conductive solutions like Easelink. In the case of the Dutch, the charging plug sticks out of the ground.
And Continental also believes in conductive charging solutions. Since the beginning of the year, the automotive supplier has been working with the start-up Volterio to develop a charging robot that consists of two components: a unit on the underbody of the vehicle and a unit placed on the garage floor. As soon as the car is parked, both components connect to a smart automatic system via plug connections. The vehicle can be up to 30 centimeters away from the optimal parking position, so it does not have to be parked accurately.
Series production of the Conti solution is planned in Germany and is scheduled to start in 2024. “Our charging robot is a real evolutionary step to make electric mobility more convenient and suitable for everyday use,” said Christoph Falk-Gierlinger, Managing Director of Continental Engineering Services.
It is still unclear which providers and solutions will ultimately prevail. Above all, Easelink relies on licensing its technology to large partners, who are then to market and sell the system independently. The technology has been secured by Easelink in 20 patent families. Stockinger is optimistic: “In the medium term, we are aiming for sales in the hundreds of millions.”
More: EnBW is looking for an investor for its charging station business