New Zealand startup Kwetta says the technology can unlock up to 10 times more power at constrained sites without the need for upgrades or batteries.
There are already 39 Kwetta charger outlets in New Zealand, and soon there will be some on Australian roads too.
What sets these chargers apart from others is their ability to solve capacity, voltage, and power quality challenges, according to Kwetta’s co-founder and CTO.
“Our solution connects directly to the high-voltage grid, unlocking more than ten times the power of traditional low-voltage systems,” Dr Robert Turner, a co-founder and CTO of Kwetta, tells Forbes Australia.
Kwetta’s ‘grid-first’ approach facilitates scalable EV charging and grid stability, says co-founder and Chief Growth Officer Mike Lazelle.
“It tackles the biggest challenge of electrification: the infrastructure. Think of the grid as a system of pipes—our technology un-kinks those pipes upstream, unlocking more power. This means EV charging can happen without the need for costly and time-consuming grid upgrades, enabling electrification at scale,” says Lazelle.
The technology is gaining traction in the ANZ market as well as with big-name investors.
“Kwetta is the only fast-charging company taking a grid-first view in solving the fast-charging problem,” says James Palmer a principal at Blackbird, which led the $16 million Series A raise.
“With early evidence that buses and trucks are flipping to EV, we think this is a winning strategy and positions them for category leadership in the most valuable segment of the market.”
Virescent Ventures and Icehouse Ventures also contributed to the raise.
“The team went from a clean sheet of paper to 39 charging bays in 2.5 years and with less than US $2.5m. Speed and scrappiness are wonderful signals in the world of deep tech – we’re confident Dustin, Mike, and Rob have built a culture of relentless execution,” says Palmer.
The road ahead
With an oversubscribed Series A behind them, the Kwetta founders are now looking abroad. The next steps for the company include building a team in Europe and tackling emissions in heavy-transportation.
“This investment will allow us to double down on our world-leading tech advantage, scale faster, and pursue opportunities in markets with significant demand for grid-optimised EV solutions,” says Kwetta co-founder and CEO Dustin Murdock.
Headquartered in Napier, New Zealand, the company was founded in 2021 and currently employs 30 people. A company statement notes that in three years, Kwetta has landed AUD$16 million in sales of its flagship product called ‘Prime Grid Gateway’.
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