Two cities in Austria, Vienna and Graz, are beginning the “eTaxi Austria” project, as a total of 10 taxi stands and 66 vehicles will be retrofitted with Matrix Charging, automated conductive charging technology developed by Easelink, over the next two years. Instead of plugging an electric car into the charging point with a cable, these vehicles equipped with a connector on the underbody can be connected to a charging plate at the taxi stand with the push of a button. The taxis are automatically charged, without the driver having to leave the vehicle.
The two types of vehicles being used in the project support charging at 11 kW AC, which is being implemented as part of the eTaxi Austria project. Matrix Charging will subsequently support up to 22 kW AC and 100 kW DC at 800 volts.
“As an automobile manufacturer-independent technology, Matrix Charging can already be retrofitted into most of the electric vehicles available on the market today. The charging pads installed at the parking space are robust and maintenance-free and can be installed in both in public spaces and private garages,” says Hermann Stockinger, founder and CEO of Easelink.
Starting in 2025, only taxis with emission-free drive systems will be permitted in Austria. The eTaxi Austria project is intended to set the tone for this and prepare the rollout of automated charging infrastructure, Easelink says.
The eTaxi Austria project in Vienna and Graz is being implemented by a project consortium. The core team consists of the Economic Chambers of Vienna and Styria, Wien Energie and Energie Graz, Easelink GmbH, Grazer Energieagentur, tbw research GesmbH, Taxi 40100 and Taxi 31300, as well as vibe moves you and Quintessenz Organisationsberatung. The motor club ÖAMTC, as well as Hyundai, are also participating in the project.
