Fronyx is revolutionising how electric vehicle (EV) drivers manage their charging needs.
How? With an innovative solution employing conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI) through WhatsApp.
The company’s proposal focuses on alleviating EV drivers’ anxiety, who often feel uncertain about the availability and functionality of charging stations.
To address this, Fronyx has developed a technology called Charge GPT, integrated into WhatsApp to provide real-time assistance to users.
This solution not only helps locate chargers but also offers immediate support if issues arise during the “refuelling” process.
The decision to integrate conversational AI technology into the App is driven by the ubiquity and ease of access of this platform.
Christopher Burgahn, CEO and founder of Fronyx, explains to Mobility Portal Europe:
“Conversational AI is a perfect technology for our clients to achieve their business objectives.”
Among these objectives, he mentions improving EV driver retention, increasing profitability in services, and reducing operational costs.
“We believe this technology has the potential to boost interest in electric vehicles and address users’ charging concerns,” he states.
The inspiration for Fronyx’s solution comes from the team’s own experience with EVs.
“We are all zero-emission car drivers, so we understand the issues firsthand,” he mentions.
This familiarity with the challenges of eMobility allowed the team to effectively identify and address user concerns, particularly around charging.
Where can Fronyx’s solution be used?
The firm’s emphasis is not limited to Germany, despite its base in the country.
Burgahn highlights: “We are focused on all of Europe at the moment.”
The Charge GPT technology is designed to integrate into digital solutions for energy companies, car manufacturers, and fleet providers, among others.
The startup anticipates that this technology could be adapted to different international markets, given the cross-border mobility of EV drivers.
In addition to the public demonstrator accessible via WhatsApp, they also have an interactive website.
“On our platform, we have already recorded over 10,000 interactions, which has significantly informed us about how people communicate their charging needs to an artificial intelligence agent,” he explains.
The impact of AI on the EV “refuelling” process can be extensive, ranging from load balancing and route planning to problem-solving.
“We are quite confident that what we are working on can make a significant impact on the world,” emphasises the CEO of Fronyx.
How does the new AI Act affect startups?
As AI regulation evolves, especially in Europe, startups like Fronyx must adapt to a constantly changing regulatory framework.
The European AI Act has recently come into force, designed to ensure that AI developed and used in the European Union (EU) is reliable, with safeguards to protect fundamental rights.
The Regulation aims to establish a harmonised internal market for AI in the EU, promoting the adoption of this technology and creating a favourable environment for innovation and investment.
It seeks to ensure transparency throughout the value chain and address potential systemic risks of the most capable models.
Member States have until 2 August 2025 to appoint competent national authorities who will oversee the implementation of applicable AI system rules.
They will also conduct market surveillance activities.
In this context, Burgahn argues that while the legislation ensures technology is developed ethically and responsibly, it can also be a burden for startups.
He notes: “In Europe, in general, regulations have a positive impact as they compel us to consider societal wellbeing in the development of AI systems.”
“However, for smaller startups, complying from day one with regulations such as this represents a considerable burden,” he adds.
Furthermore, he points out that in many cases, the need to hire staff to manage and understand these regulations not only incurs additional costs but can also slow down the development of effective solutions.
“While regulations have their benefits, they also present disadvantages that make operating in this sector challenging for new companies,” he emphasises.
