Easelink Leads Industry Push to Standardise Matrix Charging Technology
Austrian innovator Easelink is spearheading efforts to establish an industry-wide standard for its automated conductive charging system, Matrix Charging, with backing from major automakers including Audi, Nissan, and Voyah.
A New Era in Automated Vehicle Charging
Matrix Charging, developed by Easelink, represents a breakthrough in electric vehicle (EV) charging technology. The system operates by having drivers park their EVs over a floor-mounted charging pad. Unlike traditional inductive (wireless) charging—which suffers from inherent energy losses—Matrix Charging employs a conductive method: a connector lowers from the vehicle’s underbody onto the floor plate, creating a direct electrical connection that drastically reduces energy loss.
This approach combines automation with efficiency, promising faster, more reliable charging without compromising user convenience.
Matrix Charging Interest Group Drives Standardisation
Recognising the technology’s potential to become a global benchmark, Easelink has founded the Matrix Charging Interest Group (MCIG), enlisting key automotive players Audi, Nissan, and Voyah as founding members. The group aims to fast-track a formalised standard to ensure seamless interoperability between all vehicles and automated charging stations employing Matrix Charging.
While the MCIG complements the broader work of international standardisation bodies such as ISO and IEC, it specifically focuses on accelerating the alignment around Matrix Charging. This close industry coordination is designed to optimize the development process and address the technical specifics through a unified approach.
Industry Collaboration Key to Market Rollout
The MCIG openly welcomes additional companies that share a strategic interest in bringing Matrix Charging to market to join its efforts. Hermann Stockinger, Easelink Founder and CEO, emphasises the collaborative spirit underpinning this push. “Our goal is to establish Matrix Charging as the global standard for automated charging. By making our essential patents available under FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, And Non-Discriminatory) terms, we offer MCIG members maximum operational flexibility and planning security,” he noted.
FRAND licensing ensures that the technology remains accessible on fair and equitable terms, encouraging widespread adoption while protecting the interests of contributing firms.
Menno Treffers, Chair of the MCIG and a veteran leader formerly with the Wireless Power Consortium and the Zhaga Consortium, explained, “MCIG follows the successful model of Special Interest Groups like those behind Bluetooth and NFC. Our mission is to standardize the Matrix Charging interface, oversee its cross-industry market introduction, and ensure proper validation, testing, and certification according to clearly defined industry specifications.”
Funding and Strategic Growth
Standardising Matrix Charging is now Easelink’s top priority. Earlier in 2025, the company secured €11.5 million in funding from the European Innovation Council explicitly to advance this endeavour. Complementing this public investment, Easelink recently received a €1.5 million strategic investment from Austrian energy group Verbund, aimed at boosting its international reach and accelerating commercial rollout.
To further support its ambitions, Easelink plans to raise additional venture capital, signaling aggressive growth plans for bringing automated conductive charging to a global market.
Looking Ahead
The formation of the MCIG and the strong participation of established automotive manufacturers underscore growing confidence in Matrix Charging technology. As electric mobility continues its rapid evolution, the establishment of a solid, interoperable charging infrastructure is critical. Easelink and its partners are positioning themselves at the forefront of this transformation, with hopes that widespread adoption of Matrix Charging will bring enhanced convenience, reduced energy losses, and accelerated EV uptake worldwide.
About Easelink
Based in Graz, Austria, Easelink is a specialist in automated EV charging solutions. The company’s innovative conductive charging technology seeks to combine the simplicity of wireless solutions with the efficiency of physical connections, unlocking new possibilities for electric mobility infrastructure.
This article is based on a report by Chris Randall for electrive.com and was first published in electrive’s German edition by Cora Werwitzke.
