Opening remarks

Revolutionizing EV Charging: Cariqa’s Direct Approach for Mass Adoption at Web Summit Lisbon 2025

The New Energy Summit at Web Summit Lisbon 2025 serves as a critical platform for exploring future global power solutions. Discussions cover carbon capturing, nuclear fusion, circular business models, wave energy, and digital waste. A core theme emphasizes reimagining and re-establishing current energy market systems for sustainability.

Ms. Tamara Ciullo, Co-Founder and CCO of Cariqa, highlighted her personal EV experience. While enjoying her electric vehicle, she expressed frustration with public charging. Home charging is convenient and cheap, but public options are often scarce and expensive, potentially making EV ownership costlier than a diesel car for those without private charging.

This challenge is significant, as over 50% of EV energy is projected to be consumed via public chargers by 2030. If the EV transition primarily benefits those with private charging, its mass adoption is severely limited. The fundamental problem lies in the current public EV charging structure, which inflates costs.

High costs stem from EV drivers rarely buying energy directly from charge point operators. Instead, they use “resellers” – apps or charging cards – who add markups. This results in up to 50 different prices for the same charge, varying by as much as 70% depending on the payment method, an inconsistency Ms. Ciullo deemed unacceptable.

Cariqa aims to resolve this by redefining EV charging payments. Ms. Ciullo explained that Cariqa’s platform directly connects EV drivers with charge point operators, eliminating resellers and their markups. This direct approach ensures only the two essential parties are involved, promoting transparency and fairness.

Operating as a marketplace, Cariqa enables charge point operators to set prices, which are then made available across multiple payment gateways. This allows EV drivers to pay the direct, fair price, often up to 30% cheaper than through resellers. This model is not theoretical; it’s a proven success.

In just one year since its German launch, Cariqa has partnered with numerous charge point operators, providing access to over 260,000 EV drivers. This success is driving expansion, with Cariqa launching in its next country soon. The company is actively building a more transparent and affordable future for EV charging.

For a successful EV transition, rethinking existing reseller-based systems is crucial. Moving towards direct and simpler payment solutions, like those pioneered by Cariqa, is essential to ensure affordability and accessibility for all. Cariqa is at the forefront of constructing this equitable and sustainable future.