Is Matrix Charging the Future of Electric Vehicles?
Austrian start-up Easelink has created a new way to automatically charge electric vehicles using pads installed on the ground, from places like underground garages to drive-ins. Instead of just sitting idle, parked electric vehicles could be charging without any hassle.
Today’s standard charging methods are not very user-friendly; dealing with cables and plugs can be a major pain. These wires often get tangled, dirty, and involve expensive charging stations, making the process inconvenient and frustrating.
That’s where Easelink steps in. They’ve reimagined how electric vehicles are charged, making cables and bulky charging stations a thing of the past. Their automated system allows electric cars to charge while parked, without the driver even having to think about it.
The key to this technology is called matrix charging. It works through a device that lowers from the bottom of the car and connects automatically to a pad on the ground that’s hooked up to the power grid. It doesn’t matter how the car is parked; the system adjusts itself to make a solid connection.
“When you use matrix charging, cars get charged automatically without needing any cables. This smart technology works on its own,” said Easelink founder Hermann Stockinger. “This enhances the perceived range of electric cars since any time spent parked can be used for charging, whether in garages, drive-ins, or even at railway crossings.”
This system delivers up to 43kW DC or 22kW AC power with over 99% efficiency, far outperforming older induction-based systems, which don’t even come close and require precise parking to work properly.
“Matrix charging meets all the criteria needed to become the global standard for electric vehicle charging,” said Stockinger.
Car manufacturers globally are exploring this technology, and prototypes are being tested in a variety of settings. For example, Great Wall Motors from Asia showcased this system in a concept car at the IAA in Frankfurt.
The technology also caught the attention of the automotive industry during the Guangzhou Automobile Exhibition. Easelink is currently engaged in discussions with various car makers to make matrix charging a worldwide standard.
The system is more affordable than current and upcoming methods, making it well-suited for widespread adoption. “Matrix charging can be built into any production car, making automated charging accessible to more than just luxury vehicles,” Stockinger explained.
This advancement isn’t just beneficial for car manufacturers; infrastructure operators can reap rewards too. As the only fully automatic, cable-free charging technology with no moving parts on the infrastructure side, matrix charging is both durable and scalable.
