A conversation with Patrick Reich, CEO and co-founder of EV Charging Point Provider: Bonnet

Bonnet is a user-friendly platform that aggregates EV charging points across numerous charging networks and allows EV drivers to use and identify available charging points via a simple app.

My co-founder Eliot and I created Bonnet to make EV charging easier than ever. One of the most common concerns among drivers switching to electric cars is “range anxiety” – the fear of running out of power before reaching their destination. While these feelings are valid, we quickly realized that loading anxiety was a more appropriate driver concern. EV users worry that they will either not be able to easily use nearby charging stations or that they are out of service – Bonnet alleviates both of these problems.

We are the only app where all chargers connect directly to the charge point operator’s hardware, giving users live data to let them know which charge points are available. In addition, we use data submitted by the community to make the app’s information even more reliable.

In-app pricing also guarantees EV drivers competitive charging rates through dynamic monthly refill plans. Our Pay-As-You-Go plan charges drivers a standard rate of 35p per kWh – but purchasing a top-up plan lowers the kWh’s tariff, with any unused top-up automatically carried over to your next month. This payment method allows drivers to have a better understanding of how much they are paying to drive each month and also means they no longer have to deal with the complicated different payment methods that individual charge points require from drivers.

How did you come up with the idea for Bonnet?

I met Eliot, the co-founder of Bonnet, while we were studying at university. We were doing research as part of a project in the V2G area, which consequently gave us a lot of contact with the industry. Part of the research included interviews with EV drivers who highlighted many of the everyday issues they faced when charging.

As an EV driver, the points raised added to my own frustration, so me and Eliot decided to create a user-friendly charging experience that was lacking in the market.

How has Bonnet evolved since its inception?

We recently achieved a major milestone, raising $5.5 million in funding from renowned investors such as Lightspeed, GV and 20VC. This will support the expansion of charging coverage and the growth of our team.

The expansion of our international presence in new markets is also one of our long-term priorities. While we are currently operating in mainland Europe, we aim to accelerate this growth and encourage further research and development into new features and revenue streams.

What can we expect from Bonnet in the future?

Bonnet currently covers over 20,000 charging stations and 50,000 charge points with networks such as Shell Recharge, ESB and Char.gy available through the app. While we are pleased with the rapid progress made so far, continuing to expand our range of charging stations is one of our top priorities and we plan to offer semi-public and private charging stations to the network soon.

We also have plans to launch Bonnet Premium, which will provide users with additional features to improve the overall EV driving experience, including route planning and direct vehicle connectivity, allowing users to see the real-time state of charge for 16 different car models.