The limited lifespan of electric vehicle (EV) batteries remains one of the toughest hurdles slowing global EV adoption. Most lithium-ion batteries today degrade after just 300–500 charge cycles, lasting around five years. Even the more advanced NMC532 cells paired with graphite electrodes typically deliver only eight years of reliable performance.
PULSETRAIN, a Munich-based startup, is changing that narrative. Their breakthrough AI-driven pulse-loading technology extends EV battery life by up to 80%, making them usable for nearly 18 years. This advancement doesn’t just reduce costs—it promotes sustainability by enabling battery reuse and minimizing waste.
Backed by €6.1 Million Seed Funding to Scale Battery Tech Innovation
PULSETRAIN recently closed a €6.1 million seed funding round to accelerate its mission of transforming electromobility. The round was led by Vsquared Ventures and Planet A, with Climate Club also investing. While specific valuation details remain undisclosed, this funding will fast-track product development as the company scales up for industrial deployment.
PULSETRAIN’s Pulse-Loading: A Game-Changer for Battery Efficiency
Founded in 2022 by seasoned battery industry veterans Leopold König (CustomCells), Thomas Plaschko (enfas), and Niclas Lehnert (BAVERTIS), PULSETRAIN was rebranded from Bavertis in September 2024. The new name reflects its core technology—smart pulse-loading that maximizes battery cell performance while reducing degradation.
Niclas Lehnert explains, “We saw a unique opportunity to develop technology that makes EVs safer, longer-lasting, and more cost-effective, allowing global automakers to compete more effectively.”
The term “Train” nods to their complete powertrain solution, integrating battery management, charging systems, and inverters.
AI-Driven Powertrain Unlocks Long-Term Battery Performance
At its core, PULSETRAIN offers a revolutionary multilevel inverter and battery management system (BMS). This integrated solution boosts battery lifespan by up to 80%, accelerates charging, and significantly enhances EV safety and sustainability.
Starting with two-wheelers and commercial vehicles, the startup is now expanding into automotive, aviation, agriculture, and maritime sectors—sectors urgently seeking more robust, efficient, and sustainable powertrain solutions.
PULSETRAIN is actively working with partners on test vehicles and production planning to bring this technology to market.
Holistic “In-Battery” Architecture Reduces Costs and Weight
Unlike traditional battery systems that treat components separately, PULSETRAIN adopts a holistic design. Their system combines the BMS, inverter, and charging electronics into a compact “In-Battery” unit, housed directly inside the battery casing.
This integration eliminates several standard components, improving resource efficiency and reducing the overall weight of the vehicle. Leveraging AI, the system performs real-time data analysis to optimize fleet management, intelligent charging, and bidirectional energy flows—opening doors for grid integration.
Co-founder Thomas Plaschko highlights, “Current powertrain technologies stem from electrical engineering, battery systems from chemistry, and the control software is another separate field. PULSETRAIN unites all three, creating a software-driven architecture tailored for e-mobility.”
Outpacing Competitors with Multilevel Inverter Tech
PULSETRAIN is already setting the pace in multilevel inverter (MLT) technology, outshining industry giants like Hyundai, Porsche, and Stellantis. Unlike these players, often hampered by early-stage development or limited resources, PULSETRAIN has validated its technology in production-ready automotive applications.
The team has also built the world’s first MLT-ready ASIC and successfully tested the system in a demo vehicle, strengthening its market leadership in this niche.
Scaling Non-Automotive First, Automotive Next
Looking ahead, PULSETRAIN aims to launch its product initially for non-road and industrial machinery, gradually transitioning into mainstream automotive applications.
Investor Patrick Tucci of Vsquared Ventures adds, “This innovation positions Europe’s auto industry to compete globally. PULSETRAIN’s unique architecture slashes costs while boosting EV performance—now is the perfect time to scale this technology.”
Planet A’s Nick de la Forge echoes this sentiment: “PULSETRAIN removes one of the largest roadblocks to EV adoption—performance. By enhancing battery lifespan and efficiency, it’s paving the way for cleaner, more competitive electric vehicles.”
With resource efficiency and sustainable supply chains a priority for Europe’s clean energy goals, PULSETRAIN’s technology is set to play a pivotal role in the global EV transition.
