With support from the Research Council of Norway, Fount has developed a new charging solution that makes better use of existing charging infrastructure. This will simplify everyday life for electric cars and contribute to greener transport.
Fount delivers the charging solution of the future for electric car fleets, a solution that not only simplifies charging, but also contributes to greener transport and smarter use of resources. With support from the Research Council of Norway and the Pilot-T scheme, the company has developed a platform-agnostic software (machine learning) that makes existing charging infrastructure more accessible.
Companies now have a powerful tool that can help them optimise the operation of their EV fleets – especially in service and last-mile delivery (the final stage in a product's journey from seller to customer).
Research as a basis for innovation
The project, which is called "Spot-on", has been very important to Fount's success. The platform brings together charging systems and provides EV drivers and fleet operators with a seamless charging experience.
"The spot-on project was absolutely crucial for us to make this happen. Through the research and collaboration with strong partners, we gained insight into both the market and the users' needs," says Wenche Teigland, CEO of Fount.
With partners such as ITS Norway, Knowit, Bouvet and the Institute of Transport Economics, Fount has developed a solution that both meets the challenges of the charging infrastructure and at the same time puts the user at the center.
Smarter charging
Fount's platform sets a new standard for the charging infrastructure. Many charging stations are unused for large parts of the day, which results in losses for both companies and the economy. The platform opens these stations for public use, which provides increased societal benefit, higher earnings for charging operators and less pressure on the power grid and on the development of new infrastructure.
"Our solution ensures that every krone invested in charging infrastructure gives more back, both for operators and society," says Teigland.
A solution for the transport of the future
Fount has focused its solution on EV fleets in the service industry and last-mile delivery – two segments that are facing tremendous growth. Fount's platform provides both charging station owners and fleet operators with a number of benefits.
Charging owners can easily offer charging solutions to fleet operators, while fleet operators get the tools they need to plan and optimize the charging itself.
The result is reduced operating costs and in addition, the vehicles become more accessible.
"Our solution makes charging seamless, increases productivity and reduces both costs and emissions. For electric vehicle fleets, this can be a real competitive advantage," says Teigland.
International recognition
In addition to its solid position in the Norwegian market, the Spot-on project has also opened doors internationally.
Among other things, two research articles have been produced that have been well noticed abroad. The articles, which are about user experiences and the ecosystem around charging electric cars, have been published in renowned international journals. They are now widely used by researchers and industry players around the world.
This has given Fount increased legitimacy and credibility in its dealings with international customers and investors.
"The international recognition is absolutely crucial for our continued growth. It builds trust with both customers and investors," Teigland concludes.