EIT ICT Labs: Electric Car Charging Made Simple

PlugSurfing today announced that it would unveil its pioneering new app for electric vehicle drivers with a sneak preview at Cebit 2014. The app will see PlugSurfing become the first independent service provider to empower users to pay for charging sessions via mobile, bringing relief to electric vehicle (EV) drivers currently faced with the onerous prospect of having to register with multiple charging point networks in order to charge at public charging stations. The new PlugSurfing app empowers these drivers to now not only find a charging point, but also to pay for it, all with their mobile phone.

With new models from BMW and Volkswagen, the EV market is growing faster than ever, but a fragmented public charging infrastructure has, until now, posed a problem, often with a driver needing several contracts and cards to use all available charging points. As unveiled today, however, PlugSurfing will be offering access to a growing number of networks, including Europe’s biggest names such as RWE, at the tap of a screen. The PlugSurfing Charging Key, a chic RFID-enabled keyring, will also be offered for the few charging points not yet able to be remotely accessed. ‘We’ve listened to electric vehicle drivers and we’re delighted to be able to remove yet another barrier to carbon-free driving and give electric vehicles a big boost towards mass adoption in Europe’, said PlugSurfing’s co-founder Adam Woolway, ‘PlugSurfing is now revolutionising access to car charging by opening up networks which were previously closed and for contract holders only’.

The Cebit preview of the Berlin-based start-up’s new app will coincide with a beta phase among the first-movers in Germany’s EV scene, followed by a roll-out across Germany and throughout Europe in Quarter 2, 2014 to be supported and coached by the European innovation network EIT ICT Labs. Offering his support, Udo Bub, Managing Director of EIT ICT Labs Germany GmbH said, ‘EIT ICT Labs supports promising startups in ICT by providing networks, contacts and organizational encouragements. PlugSurfing is on its way to change electric mobility, and a smart example for innovation in Germany and Europe.’

It is expected that, by the end of 2014, charging points in all major European countries will be accessible barrier-free through the PlugSurfing app, empowering drivers to travel further, cross borders and remain confident that they can easily access charging wherever they go.

About PlugSurfing

PlugSurfing is Europe’s leading app for EV driving and biggest community of electric vehicle drivers. Founded by Adam Woolway (UK) and Jacob van Zonneveld (NL), the young and international Berlin-based start-up offers free apps to revolutionise sustainable mobility, including the locating, and pay for charging points, as well as share their own charging points on the platform. PlugSurfing’s vision is to remove all barriers that currently exist to carbon-free mobility. Contact: Adam Woolway (CEO), adam.woolway@plugsurfing.com