Business Idea at the Interface between Electric Trucks and Grid Stabilisation
Knowledge transfer
Business Idea at the Interface between Electric Trucks and Grid Stabilisation
The start-up Charge Circle enables operators of electric lorries to increase revenue with bespoke charging strategies, based on an optimisation model developed in conjunction with the DLR.
Start-up "Charge Circle" based on results from DLR research – new revenue stream for logistics industry through provision of charging flexibility
The Ettlingen-based start-up company Charge Circle enables logistics companies with electric trucks (e-trucks) to generate additional revenue based on individually tailored charging strategies and direct connection to the electricity market. According to the company, this can result in over €3,000 per vehicle per year – solely through the provision of bidirectional charging flexibility using optimised software – during inactive standby times. In addition to the economic component, the concept contributes to grid stabilisation and could also lead to faster market penetration of e-trucks, making a significant contribution to the transport revolution.
The business idea, which took second place at the largest German student start-up competition "GROW" in January 2024, was verified and further developed through joint scientific analyses. Researchers from the Institute for Networked Energy Systems combined empirical data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority on conventional truck movement patterns with e-truck-specific parameters such as charging capacity, as well as assumptions about desired charging status and participation in various electricity markets, into a mathematical model. One key finding: connecting e-trucks to electricity markets enables new business models, particularly when aggregators act as intermediaries between vehicle operators and electricity markets.
The founding team implemented this conclusion at the interface between e-trucks and private charging stations. "Our core service for fleet operators enables very reliable and cost-efficient charging of electric trucks, optimising the charging process while taking into account empirical driving and charging times, electricity prices, and local power generation. For modelling these complex interactions between empirical charging times and needs, as well as considering all three electricity markets, we were able to rely on the comprehensive expertise of the Institute for Networked Energy Systems. Based on the jointly developed optimisation model, we can provide logistics companies with comprehensive advice on their potential charging costs, including all necessary investments and revenue from electricity markets. The result for our customers is a competent and comprehensive service that combines development, design, procurement, installation, and optimisation in an end-to-end solution," says Vahid Ghaiurane, CFO of the company, who has focused on optimising decentralised energy systems as a research associate.
Ghaiurane presented the research results together with Prof. Dr. Patrick Jochem, Head of Energy System Analysis at the Institute for Networked Energy Systems, at the 46th IAEE International Conference in Paris in June 2025 under the title "Integrating eTrucks into electricity markets by optimized charging". According to the findings, three aspects in road freight transport logistics mean that almost all routes in Europe can be operated economically with e-trucks: EU-regulated driving and standby times (EU Regulation 2024/1258), the use of new types of e-trucks, and the use of megawatt charging technology (MWC). The required investments in widespread charging infrastructure (EVSE; Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) were identified as a challenge. However, this company start-up shows that logistics companies can tap into a lucrative new business segment by participating in the electricity market.
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