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Easing into an EV future
Along with its partners, Easelink offers a functional
sample of Matrix Charging technology that potential
customers such as OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, fleet opera-
tors and charging infrastructure companies can use
for validation projects. Easelink is also participating in
standardization activities, including the Charging Inter-
face Initiative (CharIN), national standardization bodies
and the IEC. Ultimately, the company wants to use its
technology to further EV adoption and accessibility.
“The goal should be to facilitate e-mobility,” Demuth
stated. “We need charging infrastructure, and in order
to roll out the large-scale infrastructure, we need a
cheap, simple charging unit. In my opinion, that’s not
a robotic arm on every parking spot. It has to be a flat
pad that is integrated into the ground and cost-efficient,
easy to install, traversable, space saving and ready for
outdoor use.”The merits of Matrix Charging
Easelink believes that manual EV charging will give way
to automatic charging, both for user convenience and
to facilitate the future of vehicle technology. Because it’s
hands-free, Matrix Charging is well-suited to automa-
tion. Autonomous vehicles could easily be powered by
Matrix Charging technology, and for much less cost
than competing inductive technology.
“Wireless charging is a nice technology, but it only
works in the premium class because it’s so expensive,”
Demuth said. “Our goal was to have an automatic
charging technology that also fits the middle class and
mass production class.”
Demuth points to an inductive charging system that’s
currently on the market, which offers 3.2 kW of charg-
ing power and sells for around 3,200 euros (roughly
$3,600). Easelink’s system, Demuth claims, is more
efficient and “much, much cheaper.” Though the final
cost of charging will fall to EV manufacturers and infra-
structure providers, Easelink developed Matrix Charg-
ing to be widely accessible.
“Matrix Charging has been designed with the goal of
maximal cost efficiency and mass production, and this is
in the interest of the end customer,” Demuth said.
Easelink also designed Matrix Charging to be suitable
for all use cases: home, workplace, and public charging.
Earlier this year, the company announced a success-
ful trial of Matrix in the workplace, having tested the
system in the employee parking lot of Austrian energy
supply company Energie Steiermark. Easelink is also
partnering with several customers to test Matrix Charg-
ing as a solution for EV fleets. Eventually, the company
hopes to offer its solution to EV owners for personal
charging as well.
“The target is that the private customer will be able to
choose between a wall box or Matrix Charging for the
garage, and the price will be the same,” Demuth said.
For EVs lacking a Matrix Connector, Easelink, together
with its partners plans to enter the retrofit market for
selected vehicles by 2021.
Matrix charging has been
designed with the goal of
maximal cost efficiency and
mass production, and this
is in the interest of the end
customer.
Images courtesy of Easelink