#191 – Stefan Tongur | Electreon Round 2 – The Path to Widespread Wireless Charging
Stefan Tongur is VP of Business Development at Electreon. He joins this episode to explore the role of wireless charging in future transportation, exploring the following topics: Importance of business models in the shift to sustainable transportation and the value proposition of wireless charging technology. Deployment of wireless charging infrastructure in transit routes, depots, and queuing lines. Challenges of battery size, grid capacity, resource efficiency, and cost reduction in transitioning to electric vehicles. Implementation challenges and importance of finding meaningful places for introductions and focusing on pilots. Ecosystem of stakeholders in electric road projects, including government agencies, engineering firms, construction companies, utility companies, and vehicle manufacturers. Need for collaboration and coordination among stakeholders. Potential for customization and development of a playbook for electric road deployment. Addressing interoperability issues and driving standards in the industry. Examples of dynamic wireless charging projects and Electreon's leadership in the field. Clarification of misconceptions about the cost and feasibility of electric roads. Emphasis on future-proofing technology to support the larger-scale transition to electric vehicles Links: Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/stefantongur https://ir.electreon.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-tongur-phd-681b6526/ About Stefan Tongur Stefan defined the concept of Electric Road Systems (ERS), and it is no surprise that he is well rehearsed in the opportunities and challenges of commercializing ERS in Europe and the US. Stefan also holds expertise on business models, sustainable transition, policy, and systemic innovation and has previously worked as a Senior Researcher at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. Stefan holds an M.Sc in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Industrial Economics and Management, both from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. His doctoral thesis is one of the world’s first to research the topic of ERS and is titled “Preparing for takeoff – Analyzing the development of electric road system from a business model perspective”. Company Overview Electreon is the leading developer and provider of wireless charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), providing end-to-end charging infrastructure and services, to meet the needs and efficiency demands of shared, public, and commercial fleet operators and consumers. The company's proprietary inductive technology dynamically (while in motion) and statically (while stopped) charges EVs quickly and safely, eliminating range anxiety, lowering total costs of EV ownership, and reducing battery capacity needs, making it one of the most environmentally sustainable, scalable, and compelling charging solutions available in the market today. Electreon collaborates with cities and fleet operators on a "sale" business model, and on a Charging as a Service (CaaS) business model, that enables cost-effective electrification of public, commercial, and autonomous fleets for smooth and continuous operation. Electreon operates 18 projects across 8 countries, together with more than 100 partners. Electreon's wireless in-road charging technology was named as one of the world's top 100 inventions for 2021 by Time Magazine. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods. linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/ brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/