Introduction:
Volteras aims to act as the intermediary connecting electric vehicles to various components they interact with, such EV Data Startup Volteras as chargers, household batteries, energy providers, and mapping software.
The London-headquartered company, which has been quietly operating for the past three years, conveyed to TechCrunch that it has successfully raised around $2.9 million in funding and forged partnerships with several notable organizations, including Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, and Enphase, a solar energy company.
In a telephone conversation with TechCrunch, Volteras’ founder and CEO, Peter Wilson, elucidated, “Acquiring data from electric vehicles and their interconnected environment poses a significant challenge.” He continued, “Certain companies have access to EV data but lack access to chargers and energy storage, while others possess charging data but lack access to EV information.”
In a manner akin to Plaid’s work with banks, Volteras seeks to integrate it all. Although the firm guarantees not to collect or sell data to outside parties, Volteras charges OEMs and energy retailers for API access.
Wilson stated, “That was the business model before us. There are one billion additional businesses, all of which were established in or around 2016. They served as marketplaces where data from cars was purchased and sold. The CEO said, “Recently, they’re just getting pummeled because everyone is switching to the more privacy-focused platform approach.”
EV Data Startup Volteras:
EV Data Startup Volteras [Source of Image: Techcrunch.com]
Recent concern about the data handling practices of manufacturers has come from regulators like California’s Privacy Protection Agency. It makes sense why that is. Embedded cameras and sensors in modern vehicles monitor the location and actions of the drivers, among other sensitive information.
More than just insights are what Volteras seeks to offer. According to Wilson, the startup’s API enables energy retailers to perform tasks like load balancing, such as choosing when to charge EVs, if customers choose to participate.
Connecting automobiles, powerwalls, and solar panels through a single app is the kind of technology that Tesla is developing for its ecosystem. Tesla has limitations, though. For instance, the automaker’s electricity plan is just right now accessible in Texas.
Volteras closed $2.9 million in seed funding about a year ago, not to be confused with charging company Voltera. Exor (a significant shareholder in Ferrari and Stellantis—convenient! ), early-stage VC Long Journey Ventures, and Crunchie Award winner Scott Banister are among the startup’s investors. According to Wilson, it was valued at about $12 million in Volteras’ seed round.
