Addressing the Battery Trust Gap
As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly common in Europe and the UK, their resale value remains a point of contention for many potential buyers. While concerns about the need for frequent battery replacements have largely proven to be exaggerated, the true capacity and longevity of a pre-owned EV battery remain difficult to verify. Austrian firm AVILOO aims to bridge this gap by providing standardized battery diagnostic technology, helping to streamline the second-hand electric vehicle market.
According to CEO Marcus Berger, the company was established in 2018 to resolve the "structural trust problem" inherent in used EV transactions. Consumers, often drawing parallels to the degradation experienced by smartphone batteries, feared that purchasing a used EV might result in catastrophic repair costs. AVILOO set out to provide the clarity needed to make these high-value purchases less risky.
The Technical Approach to Battery Health
The company's core offering, the PREMIUM Battery Test, provides end-users with a precise reading of their vehicle's battery health. To achieve this, AVILOO developed its own logging hardware that connects to the car's OBD-II port. "Getting access to data from all different models was a challenge because there are no standardized communication protocols," Berger notes. By collecting thousands of data points every millisecond—including voltage, current, and temperature—the system creates a comprehensive report on the battery's state of health (SOH).
The process requires the owner to charge their vehicle to 100% and then drive it until the charge drops to 10% over a seven-day period. The resulting certificate provides a verified capacity reading, offering transparency that benefits both buyers and sellers.
Scalability and Dealer Adoption
Recognizing that the extensive PREMIUM Test was impractical for busy dealerships and auction houses, AVILOO launched the FLASH Test in 2023. This version is designed to be quick, efficient, and performed while the vehicle is stationary. By analyzing approximately 20 parameters, including age, mileage, and historical charging patterns, the system offers an accurate assessment without requiring a lengthy drive cycle.
Berger emphasizes that this independent data is often more reliable than the readings provided by an automaker's own Battery Management System (BMS). "The battery management systems built into cars are not designed to make an accurate state of health calculation," he explains, citing a lack of computing power and standardized methodology. Because most EVs operate within a limited state-of-charge range, a vehicle's onboard computer may lack the sufficient data needed for a precise assessment.
Boosting Market Liquidity and Warranty Backing
The impact of standardized testing has been significant. Dealers using AVILOO certificates report faster sales, increased ad engagement, and the ability to command higher bids. To further solidify this trust, AVILOO has introduced a financial guarantee: if their assessment is proven wrong within 12 months or 20,000 km, the company provides a payout. This move aligns the firm's financial interests with its analytical findings, creating a novel layer of consumer protection.
Looking ahead, the company plans to integrate more safety features and insurance products, potentially expanding diagnostics to other expensive components like the drivetrain and inverter. By providing the transparency necessary to fuel the second-hand market, AVILOO believes it is playing a crucial role in the broader transition to sustainable mobility.