In the past, proprietary electric-vehicle charging technologies competed for market share. But in the future, the winners in the sector will be the equipment manufacturers, network operators and software providers that can provide the most open and interoperable EV-charging environment possible.
On Tuesday, the El Segundo, California–based startup EV Connect was acquired by global electric equipment and services giant Schneider Electric, giving it financial backing to expand its open-standards-based charging platform.“I think the main thing that Schneider is bringing to us is global reach,” Ramer said of the acquisition. EV Connect’s software now manages more than 10,000 EV-charging points across North America, but in the past few months, it has begun working with Schneider in 14 countries in Europe, he said.
EV Connect has raised about $50 million since its 2009 founding from investors including Mitsui & Co. and Ecosystem Integrity Fund.