Fast charging tech attracts $12m in funding

Charging speed remains a hurdle to overcome in the mass market adoption of passenger and commercial electric vehicles (EVs), but rapid charging under traditional electrochemistry is unpredictable, often damaging cells. Next-generation technologies such as solid-state electrolytes are said to have repeatedly fallen short of deployment targets.

Gaussion’s solution is claimed to ‘radically enhance’ battery performance using an external magnetic field during charge and discharge cycles to enable rapid charging by steering ions within existing battery cells. The magnetic field also lowers cell degradation, extending battery life. This approach aims to complement existing battery technologies rather than replace them.

The Series A round was supported by existing investors BGF and UCL Technology Fund, managed by AlbionVC in collaboration with UCL Business. The funds will enable Gaussion’s market entry and potentially the licensing of its technology for other applications.  

In a statement, Alexei Andreev, co-founder and managing director of Autotech Ventures, said: "[Gaussion] leverage the advancements of current battery cell giants and apply an external magnetic field to enhance the performance of established battery technologies without changing their core components. We see tremendous opportunities in a variety of markets."