Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Second-Life EV Batteries: How Voltfang Raised €15M to Replace Coal in Europe
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Second-Life EV Batteries: How Voltfang Raised €15M to Replace Coal in Europe
What if the key to Europe’s energy independence lies in the batteries of yesterday’s electric cars? This isn’t science fiction—it’s Voltfang’s reality.
Today’s episode takes you inside the world of second-life EV batteries, where German climate tech startup Voltfang is repurposing used electric car batteries to stabilize power grids, decentralize energy systems, and replace coal-fired plants across Europe.
With a €15M funding round and partnerships with major players like Stuttgart Airport, Voltfang is scaling from humble camper van hacks to operating Europe’s largest second-life battery factory.
What You'll Learn:
How second-life EV batteries can transform renewable energy storage.
Why energy decentralization is critical for Europe’s climate future.
The startup journey from garage project to €15M scale-up.
Lessons on resilience and leadership from Voltfang’s co-founders.
Common misconceptions about scaling cleantech startups.
Insider insights into Germany’s and DACH’s energy transition.
Guest Spotlight:
David Oudsandji, CEO & Co-Founder of Voltfang, shares the story of how three friends turned a side project into one of Europe’s most ambitious clean energy startups. With a background in industrial engineering and a bold vision to shut down coal plants like Weissweiler (1.6 GW), David unpacks the challenges and triumphs of scaling in a high-impact sector.
🎧 If you’re inspired by stories of startups driving global impact, hit “Follow” on Spotify or “Subscribe” on Apple Podcasts.
⭐ Leave us a 5-star review and share this episode with fellow founders and investors.
💬 What’s your moonshot for the future of energy? Tell us on LinkedIn or Threads using #Startupradio.
Guest Name: David Oudsandji, CEO & Co-Founder at Voltfang
Blog Post: https://www.startuprad.io/post/second-life-ev-batteries-powering-europe%E2%80%99s-energy-future
Timestamps:
00:00 – Can Second-Life Batteries Replace Coal?
02:15 – The Camper Van Experiment That Sparked Voltfang
06:40 – From Prototype to €15M Raise
10:55 – Pivoting From Home to Industrial Energy Storage
15:30 – Decentralizing Europe’s Energy Grids
20:05 – Lessons in Cleantech Startup Leadership
23:00 – Voltfang’s Moonshot Vision for a Coal-Free Europe
25:10 – Closing Reflections and Future Plans
✉️ Work with us: [email protected]
💬 Feedback: https://forms.gle/Qp53eVuc9P1RMqWj8
💼 Follow Jörn on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=joernmenninger
startups, second life EV batteries, energy decentralization Europe, german startups, tech entrepreneurs, capital growth, startup scaling cleantech, angel investors, DACH startup ecosystem, climate tech founders, venture capital cleantech Germany
View all episodes
By Jörn "Joe" MenningerWhat if the key to Europe’s energy independence lies in the batteries of yesterday’s electric cars? This isn’t science fiction—it’s Voltfang’s reality.
Today’s episode takes you inside the world of second-life EV batteries, where German climate tech startup Voltfang is repurposing used electric car batteries to stabilize power grids, decentralize energy systems, and replace coal-fired plants across Europe.
With a €15M funding round and partnerships with major players like Stuttgart Airport, Voltfang is scaling from humble camper van hacks to operating Europe’s largest second-life battery factory.
What You'll Learn:
How second-life EV batteries can transform renewable energy storage.
Why energy decentralization is critical for Europe’s climate future.
The startup journey from garage project to €15M scale-up.
Lessons on resilience and leadership from Voltfang’s co-founders.
Common misconceptions about scaling cleantech startups.
Insider insights into Germany’s and DACH’s energy transition.
Guest Spotlight:
David Oudsandji, CEO & Co-Founder of Voltfang, shares the story of how three friends turned a side project into one of Europe’s most ambitious clean energy startups. With a background in industrial engineering and a bold vision to shut down coal plants like Weissweiler (1.6 GW), David unpacks the challenges and triumphs of scaling in a high-impact sector.
🎧 If you’re inspired by stories of startups driving global impact, hit “Follow” on Spotify or “Subscribe” on Apple Podcasts.
⭐ Leave us a 5-star review and share this episode with fellow founders and investors.
💬 What’s your moonshot for the future of energy? Tell us on LinkedIn or Threads using #Startupradio.
Guest Name: David Oudsandji, CEO & Co-Founder at Voltfang
Blog Post: https://www.startuprad.io/post/second-life-ev-batteries-powering-europe%E2%80%99s-energy-future
Timestamps:
00:00 – Can Second-Life Batteries Replace Coal?
02:15 – The Camper Van Experiment That Sparked Voltfang
06:40 – From Prototype to €15M Raise
10:55 – Pivoting From Home to Industrial Energy Storage
15:30 – Decentralizing Europe’s Energy Grids
20:05 – Lessons in Cleantech Startup Leadership
23:00 – Voltfang’s Moonshot Vision for a Coal-Free Europe
25:10 – Closing Reflections and Future Plans
✉️ Work with us: [email protected]
💬 Feedback: https://forms.gle/Qp53eVuc9P1RMqWj8
💼 Follow Jörn on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=joernmenninger
startups, second life EV batteries, energy decentralization Europe, german startups, tech entrepreneurs, capital growth, startup scaling cleantech, angel investors, DACH startup ecosystem, climate tech founders, venture capital cleantech Germany
More shows like Tech Startups Germany - Startups and Venture Capital
View all
Startuprad.io™ – Europe’s Voice on Startups, VC, Innovation & Growth
228 Listeners
FinTech Germany – Innovation, Banking & Venture Capital by Startuprad.io™
1 Listeners
Security Sutra – Cybersecurity Startups and Venture Capital by Startuprad.io™
0 Listeners
Blockchain Germany – Web3 Startups, Crypto Innovation & Venture Capital by Startuprad.io™
0 Listeners
Deep Tech Germany: AI, Robotics & Frontier Innovation by Startuprad.io™
0 Listeners
Startup & Tech News from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland by Startuprad.io™
0 Listeners
Starting Y
0 Listeners
European Startup Pulse – The Voice of Europe’s Founders, VCs & Innovation Hubs
0 Listeners
Women Who Rock GSA – A Female Entrepreneurship Podcast by Startuprad.io™
0 Listeners