Wallbox
Wallbox is a smart electric vehicle charging and energy management solutions company headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. The company designs, manufactures and distributes electric vehicle charging technologies, including hardware and software solutions. As of April 2021, Wallbox has offices in 9 countries worldwide and sales in over 60 markets.
History
In 2015, Spanish entrepreneurs Enric Asunción and Eduard Castañeda founded Wallbox just outside Barcelona, Spain, initially using the name Wall Box Chargers. Enric left his role at Tesla in order to focus on the company full-time. In 2016, Wallbox secured its first client after developing a smart, compact electric vehicle home charger called Pulsar and delivering a winning pitch to the Spanish multinational utility company, Endesa.
In 2017, Wallbox launched a specialized software team to focus on myWallbox, the company’s proprietary platform which allows users to connect with, control, and manage their chargers. That same year, the company came first in South Summit, a European startup competition. Wallbox then came in third place at the Startup World Cup in May 2018.
Over the next year, Wallbox released multiple new AC chargers, including the Pulsar Plus, Copper SB, and Commander 2.
In October 2019, Wallbox created Quasar, the world’s first bi-directional charger for the residential segment, thanks to its compact size, high efficiency, and comparatively low price point. Quasar was named the “Best of CES” by Engadget, as well as three other publications, in January 2020.
In April 2020, Wallbox made its first major acquisition by purchasing Intelligent Solutions, a distributor of intelligent charging solutions in northern Europe. Wallbox also acquired Electromaps, a platform for accessing and managing public charging points, in September 2020.
Wallbox closed a Series A financing round in May 2020 after receiving a €23 million investment. The company raised a further €33 million in February 2021.
In October 2020, Wallbox announced the launch of its first fast public charger, Supernova. The charger will charge 100km (62 miles) of autonomy in less than 15 minutes. The company is expected to invest €5 million in the production and distribution of Supernova over the next two years.
Products
Chargers
Pulsar Plus (For residential use. Up to 22 kW of power. Available with Type 1 or Type 2 charging cables)
Copper SB (For commercial use. Up to 22 kW. Universal socket suitable for Type 1 and Type 2 connectors.)
Commander 2 (Home or business charging for multiple users. Up to 22 kW of power. Access with a password, RFID, or app.)
Quasar (Bidirectional charger for home use. DC charger. Up to 7.4 kW of power for charging or discharging. Facial recognition and gesture control.)
Supernova (For public use. DC charger. 60kW - 129kW capacity. 100km of range in less than 15 minutes. Modular design.)
Software
myWallbox is Wallbox’s proprietary software. The myWallbox platform offers a range of functions for residential and business use, including managing charging and monitoring charge status, setting charging schedules to benefit from off-peak energy rates, multiple user management, and integrated payment systems.
Electromaps is a digital platform for accessing and managing free and paid-for electric charging points in southern Europe. Electromaps connects more than 150,000 charge points and 100,000 users.
Expansion
Wallbox has sales in over 60 countries and offices in 9 countries worldwide.
In November 2018, Wallbox launched a joint venture with Changchun FAWSN Group, a Chinese manufacturer and distributor of automobile parts, to expand its reach into Asia-Pacific. Then, in June 2019, Wallbox opened an office in Mountain View, California. The company launched its first charger in North America in January 2021.
In March 2021, Wallbox announced it is expanding its production capacity by opening a new factory in Barcelona’s Zona Franca neighborhood. The company signed a 10-year lease for the facilities and will invest as much as €9 million into the expansion. The factory will begin production in the third quarter of 2021. Wallbox and Iberdrola have entered a long-term, onsite Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to produce, consume and reuse 100% of the energy produced by the Wallbox plant and offices in this area.
In April 2021, the company announced that it is planning to expand its U.S. manufacturing operations and is currently seeking a site.
Investors
In May 2020, Wallbox closed its first major financing round after receiving €23 million in Series A funding from Spanish utility provider Iberdrola and venture capital firm Seaya Ventures. Then in February 2021, the company attracted a further €33 million from venture capital firms Cathay Innovation and WIND ventures as well as its existing investors.
Awards
Red Dot Design Award 2019 - Red Dot GmbH & Co. KG
Best of CES 2020 - Electrek
Best of CES 2020 - Newsweek
Best of CES 2020 - Robb Report
Best Transportation Technology CES 2020 - Engadget
2020 World Changing Ideas Finalist - Fast Company
Edison Awards, Silver Winner 2020 - Edison Awards
GOOD DESIGN Award 2021 -The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design
Excellent Product Design – Automotive Parts and Accessories German Design Award 2021 – German Design Council
2021 World Changing Ideas Finalist - Fast Company
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