Electric vehicle battery technology is undergoing significant advancements as companies seek more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions. PULSETRAIN, a battery technology startup, has raised €6.1 million in seed funding to further develop its integrated battery system. The company aims to optimize energy utilization by consolidating multiple electronic components within the battery itself. By eliminating redundant components and enhancing system efficiency, PULSETRAIN intends to offer manufacturers a streamlined and adaptable solution for electric mobility.
Earlier developments in battery technology focused primarily on incremental improvements in battery chemistry and management systems. Unlike these traditional approaches, PULSETRAIN combines power electronics, battery management, and software-driven architecture into a single unit. This contrasts with previous advancements that treated these components separately. The company’s multilevel inverter technology is designed to reduce power losses and improve overall battery efficiency, a shift from prior industry standards.
How Does PULSETRAIN’s Technology Work?
PULSETRAIN integrates the Battery Management System (BMS), inverter, and charging electronics into a single electronic unit housed within the battery. This configuration reduces weight, minimizes energy losses, and extends the battery’s operational life. Leveraging artificial intelligence, the system optimizes real-time energy distribution, allowing for better performance while lowering costs. The company claims this approach extends battery lifespan by up to 80%, potentially offering 18 years of service compared to the conventional 10-year lifespan.
What Are the Market Implications?
By adopting this integrated model, manufacturers can develop more powerful and efficient electric vehicles while reducing production costs. This comes at a time when the automotive industry faces increasing pressure to enhance battery performance and sustainability. PULSETRAIN’s solution also addresses thermal risks, an ongoing challenge in EV battery safety. The focus on two-wheelers and commercial vehicles suggests an immediate impact on emerging electric mobility segments, where cost efficiency and durability are crucial.
Thomas Plaschko, co-founder of PULSETRAIN, stated:
“Today’s powertrain technologies originate from traditional electrical engineering, while battery systems have their roots in chemistry. Additionally, a significant software component is required to control battery-powered vehicles.
PULSETRAIN unites these three fields of expertise, developing a new, more powerful, software-driven architecture designed for e-mobility.
We reduce weight, increase battery lifespan, and simultaneously lower costs. This allows manufacturers to produce lighter, more efficient, and cost-optimised vehicles, while our product’s technological openness enables them to tailor it precisely to their needs. This makes us unique in the market.”
The funding round was led by Vsquared Ventures and Planet A, with participation from Climate Club. The investment will be used to accelerate product development and prepare for industrial-scale production. Investors see potential in PULSETRAIN’s approach to simplifying EV powertrains while maintaining high efficiency. Patrick Tucci, Principal at Vsquared Ventures, commented:
“PULSETRAIN delivers the disruptive innovation that will enable the Western automotive industry to remain competitive in the highly contested global market.
Given the latest advancements in semiconductor technology and AI, now is the perfect moment to bring and scale this technology in the market.”
PULSETRAIN is also working on an AI-driven multilevel platform for real-time data analysis. This system could enhance fleet management, enable intelligent charging control, and facilitate the bi-directional integration of electric vehicles into power grids. These additional capabilities may provide a competitive advantage in the evolving electromobility sector.
While PULSETRAIN’s approach presents potential benefits, its long-term success will depend on successful market adoption and scaling. The integration of multiple powertrain components within the battery housing reduces the need for separate inverters and electronics, but it remains to be seen how manufacturers will adapt their production processes. Additionally, AI-driven optimizations may require extensive validation to ensure reliability. If successfully implemented, this technology could contribute to lowering battery costs, improving efficiency, and extending the lifespan of electric vehicles, making them more viable for widespread adoption.
