An industry consortium led by Austrian charging technology developer Easelink, together with automakers Audi, Nissan and Voyah, has formed a joint body aimed at accelerating the global standardisation of an automated electric vehicle charging system known as Matrix Charging.
The group, called the Matrix Charging Interest Group (MCIG), is designed to coordinate technical work on Easelink’s conductive robotic charging solution, which allows a vehicle to automatically connect to a ground-mounted charging plate without manual cables. Unlike inductive wireless charging, which transmits power through electromagnetic fields, the Matrix Charging system relies on a physical connector that drops from the vehicle to the charging pad, reducing energy losses and improving overall efficiency.
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MCIG said it will operate alongside established international standards organisations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), while focusing on issues specific to automated conductive charging. The partners said their aim is to streamline technical alignment as carmakers consider introducing the system in future mass-production vehicles, where interoperability between vehicles and charging infrastructure remains a key requirement.
Easelink founder and chief executive Hermann Stockinger said the company would make key intellectual property available to partners under industry-standard licensing conditions. “Our goal is to establish Matrix Charging as the global standard for automated charging. By making our essential patents available on FRAND terms, we give MCIG members maximum operational flexibility and planning security for both the use and further development of the technology,” Stockinger said. FRAND refers to fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory licensing, a framework commonly used in technology standard setting.
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The group also plans to oversee testing, certification and market introduction of the technology. Menno Treffers, chair of MCIG and a former senior figure in wireless charging standardisation bodies, said the collaboration mirrors earlier technology alliances. “Its mission is to standardize the Matrix Charging interface, oversee its cross-industry market introduction, and ensure validation, testing, and certification in line with clearly defined industry specifications,” Treffers said.
For Graz-based Easelink, standardisation is now a central strategic focus following recent funding milestones. The company earlier this year secured €11.5 million from the European Innovation Council to support the standardisation process. In October 2024, Austria’s state-linked utility Verbund invested €1.5 million to help expand Easelink’s international operations. The company has said it plans to seek additional venture capital to support broader commercial deployment.