Spin-off Pleevi (with its roots in de labs of EnergyVille) makes workplace charging smarter, greener and more cost-efficient
Electric vehicles (EVs) are on the rise, especially as company cars. Employees and visitors alike charge their cars on company premises. This charging is highly diverse: ranging from short to long periods, with varied charging demand during times when green energy availability and cost fluctuates. Pleevi, a spin-off of VITO (partner in Energyville), has developed AI-driven software that not only facilitates greener and more cost-efficient charging sessions, but also seamlessly integrates other energy sources, such as solar energy and stationary batteries. In addition, the system goes beyond real-time input, leveraging weather forecasts and the predicted background energy consumption.
With the goal of achieving emission-free mobility and the European requirement that 87% of all consumed electricity must be renewable by 2040, the bar has been set high. Mobility is a significant part of this challenge. While substantial efforts have been made to make EV charging infrastructure ‘smart,’ these systems often only prioritize cost and energy savings.
Pleevi goes further by prioritizing both driver comfort and charging reliability at the forefront as well.
Pleevi's crystal ball
Pleevi’s platform considers not only local energy generation and dynamic pricing but goes much further.
“The unique aspect of Pleevi is that our entire charging process is not only based on real-time information but also incorporates what the next hours will bring,” explains Wout Lagae, Co-founder and CEO of Pleevi. “By forecasting energy flows 24 hours ahead, Pleevi’s AI-driven optimisation ensures efficient energy usage without overloading the grid. For instance, on a sunny morning, we can account for abundant solar energy expected later in the day, as well as wind energy forecasts. Our algorithm also factors in the energy needs of the main building on a given day. This helps determine how much energy will be available for charging infrastructure. On a Friday, when many employees work from home, the capacity will differ significantly from a busy Tuesday when high energy demand is required both in the parking area and the building. This allows us to offer not only cheaper but also greener charging sessions.”
Pleevi’s technology is already operational at sites in Belgium, Germany, and France, demonstrating its scalability and effectiveness across diverse markets through partnerships with major players such as Phoenix Contact and VMA (part of CFE Group).
Investors believe in Pleevi
Pleevi has set ambitious goals, aiming to manage 25,000 charging points by 2027. Investors are already convinced of its potential, contributing €1 million to scale this innovative technology across Europe.
Marc Mommaerts (Managing Partner Angelwise), Chairman of the board, shares: “Pleevi’s smart EV charging tackles a critical energy challenge. It optimizes renewable energy use, strengthens grid stability, and prevents overloads. With top-notch technology Pleevi delivers strong ROI while solving a clear societal and energy problem.”
“As the energy transition accelerates and the world embraces rapid electrification—driven largely by electric vehicles—flexibility in our power systems is becoming essential. Pleevi positions itself as a crucial enabler by providing cutting-edge APIs that empower charging point operators to deploy innovative solutions faster and more effectively. Their technology is a key driver of the smarter, more sustainable infrastructure we need for the future. I’m happy to be part of the story and look forward to it.” – Loïc Bar, investing Business Angel.