Interview with Hermann Stockinger, Founder and Managing Director at Easelink – a pioneer in automated Matrix® EV charging

This week, we are thrilled to feature an interview with Hermann Stockinger, Founder and Managing Director at Easelink.

Hermann founded Easlink in 2016 with the aim to support global EV adoption and accelerate the energy transition, through fast and efficient automated EV charging.

We are pleased to share further insights into the vision behind Easelink, and how its founder aims to grow its EV Matrix® EV charging solution to the masses.

Hermann, what led you to found Easelink in 2016?

As an engineer who had always been passionate about the transport and energy sectors, I reflected on the three megatrends which became increasingly influential over the last decade. 1^st vehicle autonomy, 2^nd e-mobility and 3^rd renewable energy. In combination, they lead to three major technical challenges the industry is facing. 1^st autonomous charging: autonomous vehicles require automated charging. 2^nd barrier-free charging infrastructure: the number of charge points has to scale up massively in the near future but invasive installations of charging poles that are taking away valuable urban space are hindering the required charge point rollout. 3^rd smart charging: frequent charging connections and full power controllability are needed to cope with grid limitations and the volatility of renewables.

I founded Easelink back in 2016 with the idea to solve these challenges with an automated charging solution that can easily be rolled out on every parking space, whether it’d be private, semi-public or public This will allow EVs to be connected to the electrical grid automatically whenever they are parked, opening up significant potential of smartly integrating electromobility in the renewable energy system.

How are your solutions different from alternative charging solutions on the market, plug-in, wireless, or robotic charging? What benefits does it offer versus other methods?

Matrix Charging^® is an automated charging technology. So obviously the benefit compared to the traditional cable is that it frees the driver from the task of plugging in and out. The competition in terms of automated charging comprises wireless charging and robotic charging. Both technologies are also located at the underbody of the vehicle and on the parking ground. Compared to wireless charging the conductive approach offers decisive benefits in terms of charging efficiency as well as manufacturing costs. An efficient and low-cost approach is essential for a technology rollout beyond the premium vehicle segment targeting the high volume segments.

Compared to robotic charging, the Matrix Charging^® top-down approach reduces the required mechanical complexity to a very minimum. This results once more in advantages regarding manufacturing cost, and in significantly higher robustness. In contrast to robots, the Matrix Charging^® infrastructure unit does not require any moving parts and offers a barrier-free design. Therefore, the technology cannot just be installed in the private garages (protected environment), but also in semi-public and public outdoor spaces.

What is the most suitable application/target group for your charging solutions; passenger, light commercial, and/or heavy-duty vehicles, and home, semi-public or public?

Considering the ideas of smart charging and grid balancing, vehicles should be connected to the grid more frequently, ideally whenever they are parked. For this reason, scalability was one important Matrix Charging^® design principle, supporting the large scale application of passenger cars. First, Matrix Charging^® will be available in the home garage which is the easiest use case to address. In a subsequent stage, when automation of charging becomes relevant in the public scenario, Matrix Charging^® will be rolled out in a semi-public and public charging environment where robustness and freedom of barriers are essential. 

What is required for your Matrix Charging® to reach mass-scale roll-out and commercial adoption?

Easelink is a young technology company with a strong IP portfolio following a license-based business model. This model supports collaborations with the existing suppliers’ eco-system and facilitates a mass rollout of the technology by already established supply chains. Easelink’s partnerships and the related decisions of the automotive and infrastructure industry leaders will be important for the success of Matrix Charging^®.

How will your recent Series A led by SET Ventures contribute to your growth journey?

The Series A funds will be used to keep growing the product team, expand collaborations within the automotive and infrastructure industry, and continue the path towards a global automated charging standard. The outstanding expertise of SET Ventures is a highly valuable support in the strategic course setting of Easelink.

Where will Easelink be in 5 years from now?

In 5 years from now, license partnerships with major industry players will be in place, accelerating the rollout of the automotive and infrastructure components. A de-facto standard will be set, the “chicken or egg” problem will be solved and thereby significant infrastructure investments will be secured supporting the rollout of a semi-public and public Matrix Charging^® network.