Volvo Cars Tech Fund invests in FreeWire

Volvo Cars acquires stake in electric car charging company, FreeWire, via the Volvo Cars Tech Fund. The move will allow for the easy adoption of fast charging technology.

Volvo Cars Tech Fund (an initiative of Volvo Cars) has acquired stake in electric car charging company FreeWire in line with its electrification plans of having some sort of electrification in all its new models by 2019 and its long-term vision of having a 50 per cent fully electric car portfolio by the year 2025.

This investment in FreeWire is expected to pay dividends for Volvo in the future with electric car charging infrastructure as FreeWire is a developer of flexible fast-charging technology for electric cars. It specialises in both stationary and mobile fast charging technology. FreeWire's system removes the complexity associated with setting up fast-charging stations for electric cars by removing the need for establishing a high-voltage connection to the grid. This is done by facilitating the use of low-voltage power, allowing operators to simply use existing power outlets.

“Volvo Cars’ future is electric, as reflected by our industry-leading commitment to electrify our entire product range,” said Zaki Fasihuddin, CEO of the Volvo Cars Tech Fund. “To support wider consumer adoption of electric cars, society needs to make charging an electric car as simple as filling up your tank. Our investment in FreeWire is a firm endorsement of the company’s ambitions in this area.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with Volvo Cars to develop new markets and business models around our EV fast charging and ultra-fast charging technology,” said Arcady Sosinov, CEO of FreeWire. “Having a car maker with both the legacy and future vision of Volvo is going to give us access to technology, testing, and new strategies that will really accelerate the growth of the company.”

Volvo Cars Tech Fund, launched earlier in 2018,  was setup with the aim of investing in high-potential technology start-ups. It focuses its investments on strategic technology trends transforming the auto industry.