Austria now home to conductive charging for eTaxis

The first e-taxi stands with Matrix Charging conductive automated charging technology have now been put into operation in Vienna’s Vorgartenstraße as part of the eTaxi Austria project. A first location in Graz is also being implemented.

With the installation of the charging plates, the foundation stone for the project has now been laid. In total, 66 electric taxis and 60 charging points will be equipped with Easelink’s conductive charging technology in the eTaxi Austria project in Vienna and Graz, which will run until early 2025. The project encompasses 56 vehicles and charging points at eight cab stands in Vienna and ten vehicles and four charging points in Graz.

“eTaxi Austria with Matrix Charging in the cities of Vienna and Graz is the world’s largest e-mobility project with automated charging,” says Hermann Stockinger, Founder & CEO of Easelink. “With more than 30 partners, we not only solve the central challenge of barrier-free charging infrastructure in urban areas but also show international technology leadership with this trend-setting project.”

The vehicles being used are converted VW ID.4 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. As reported, Easelink’s Matrix Charging solution is a conductive system: unlike inductive charging, there is a physical connection between the charging pad on the ground and the connector on the vehicle floor – when the car is parked above such a charging pad, the connector lowers to establish the conductive connection.

“The charging plates embedded in the floor are barrier-free and unobtrusive while also pointing the way for the electrification of Vienna’s cab fleets,” added Peter Hanke, Vienna’s city councillor for finance and economics.

Charging takes place with up to 11 kW alternating current and a transmission efficiency of 99 per cent. This is also confirmed by the pilot test that has been running since 2022 at the Wien Energie site at the Simmering power plant. The charging plates are also connected to a load management system of the respective operators, Wien Energie and Energie Graz, so that the required charging power at the cab stand can be controlled.

For about a month now, interested cab operators have been able to register for the pilot phase of the project. The project is then to be officially launched in October. The companies, which are expected to be selected by the end of September, would then be able to purchase the already fully equipped vehicles in the short term or obtain them on a subscription basis, according to a statement issued by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce in August.

The eTaxi Austria project will run until the beginning of 2025 when only zero-emission vehicles will be registered in Austria.

Source: information via email