With its patent-pending technology "SecureCharge", HeyCharge makes it possible to charge electric cars in underground garages and parking garages independently of an Internet connection. In total, the start-up raised 4.7 million US dollars for its seed funding. HeyCharge is one of the 2021 summer graduates of the US start-up accelerator Y Combinator.
"The market for electric vehicles will grow rapidly in the coming years, requiring greater expansion of charging infrastructure worldwide," said Kasper Sage, Managing Partner at BMW i Ventures. "HeyCharge is the first company to enable smart charging of electric vehicles without an Internet connection. This is key to making charging stations commercially viable regardless of location. That's why we see HeyCharge as a crucial technology for the nationwide expansion of the charging infrastructure.
Cost-effective and scalable solution
Usually, smart EV charging stations need an Internet connection and an app or RFID card to be activated. But most underground or multi-storey parking garages do not currently have a good Internet connection. Chris Cardé, former Google software specialist and founder and CEO of HeyCharge, recognised the problem when he could not charge his own EV in the underground car park of his Munich apartment building. As the number of electric vehicles on the road increases - virtually every new car sold worldwide could be an electric vehicle by 2040 - there is a great need for scalable charging options that fit into the daily lives of e-car drivers.
According to Eurostat, around 46 per cent of the population in Europe have been living in apartment buildings in 2019. Exactly the sort of location where an expansion of charging stations is needed. The aim of HeyCharge is to close this gap and at the same time offer consumers and companies a cost-effective, scalable solution that is suitable for everyday use and also works reliably without the Internet. HeyCharge is also particularly suitable for building operators who are looking for a convenient solution for user billing.
Existing charge points can be upgraded
The patent-pending technology behind SecureCharge enables communication between chargers and the HeyCharge app or software development kit (SDK) via Bluetooth - eliminating the need for an Internet on location connection. The technology minimises latency between phone and charger while maximising system availability. In combination with the HeyCharge charger, the Access Point, the total costs for hardware, installation, communication and service can be reduced by up to 80 per cent.
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In addition to the high-performance HeyCharge Wallbox (up to 22 kilowatts), the HeyCharge Access Point offers an intelligent solution for access control and consumption billing, based on the so-called Mode-2 charging architecture. The advantage of this solution is primarily that existing charge points can be upgraded with little effort and in a short time. In just a few minutes, the operation of the infrastructure can be ensured and new business models for partners and customers can be made possible. (mfo)
