Easelink, an Austrian specialist in automated 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 systems to eliminate 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. 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 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,” said Anton Arts, managing partner at SET Ventures.
“Low touch operation is key in providing customer-oriented infrastructure. Matrix Charging is the fully automated charging system that will accelerate the shift to e-mobility. Easelink’s technology is best positioned to play a key role in the future. We are excited to take part in this innovation,” stated Dr Marc Umber, investment director at EnBW New Ventures.
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. “We believe that the electrification of urban traffic – especially of urban fleets – requires decentralized and barrier-free charging points in the public space. Wien Energie’s successful collaboration with Easelink in the eTaxi Austria project convinced us to support Easelink with an investment,” explained Andreas Straßer, managing director at Smartworks.
Easelink’s seed investor, Dr Hermann Hauser, who is co-founder of ARM Limited, also participated in the round with his Austrian-based investment company HHI. “I am delighted to see how the Easelink team is executing their ambitious plan,” said Dr Hermann Hauser.
