Cariqa said it has developed an end-to-end platform that enables charge point operators (CPOs) to connect directly with customers instead of relying on the traditional reseller model involving e-mobility service providers (EMPs). By cutting out the reseller layer, operators can set tariffs more consistently while drivers are expected to benefit from lower and more transparent prices.
The company is launching two products, Cariqa Go and Cariqa Connect, to accelerate adoption. Cariqa Go is designed to simplify ad hoc payments in line with AFIR requirements, offering what the company described as “harmonised pricing across all channels, no hidden markups, and a seamless charging experience whether in-app, in-car, or on site.” Cariqa Connect will allow integration into digital ecosystems, making charging stations visible on mapping services and enabling API-based connections for automakers, fleets, rental companies and mobility services.
Cariqa’s co-founders argue that the current EMP model is not sustainable. Issam Tidjani, CEO and co-founder, said: “Imagine walking into a supermarket and finding that the price of a loaf of bread changes depends on whether you paid cash, card, or by which bank issued your card. That’s how EV charging still works today – it’s unacceptable, and it’s harming EV adoption.”
The startup says its platform creates what it calls “a new structural level of commercial interoperability,” allowing real-time settlement and direct payment flows between CPOs and customers. “CPOs stay in control of their commercial strategy, and drivers finally get a consistent, fair price wherever and however they charge,” the company said.
Tamara Ciullo, CCO and co-founder, said: “The reseller era has quietly punished both operators and drivers. We’re giving the industry the tools to scale sustainably – aligning incentives across CPOs, OEMs, fleets, and drivers, and laying the commercial foundation for true mass adoption.”
The initiative comes after Cariqa secured €4 million in seed funding in July 2023, led by Contrarian Ventures and Anthemis, to expand across Europe. The startup has already signed on major CPOs in Germany, including Pfalzwerke, EWE Go, and Mer Germany, with the latter also using Cariqa’s AI tools to adjust charging prices dynamically.
