A startup from VinUniversity (VinUni) laboratories, Volterra, has created an AI-powered system to coordinate electric vehicle (EV) charging networks (10/03).

Volterra is one of the first large-scale startups to emerge from VinUni’s scientific research projects. The startup gained recognition for winning first prize in the Global Sustainable Development Competition (GSC) 2025–2026 in the Asia-Pacific region and second place at the 11th National Innovation Startup Talent Competition (TECHFEST) in Vietnam.

Addressing Vietnam’s Electricity Load Challenges

VinUni’s Vision 2030 aims to tackle 100 practical scientific and technological challenges. One major challenge is managing electricity demand as the number of battery-powered vehicles grows rapidly.

While EVs reduce emissions and improve public health, fully relying on the power grid for charging increases pressure during peak hours. Expanding the grid to meet short-term peak demand is costly and can waste resources.

Professor Laurent El Ghaoui, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation at VinUni and Director of the Environmental Intelligence Center, and his team asked: how can a charging solution reduce dependence on the grid while remaining economically feasible and scalable in Vietnam?

AI and Battery Storage Optimize Charging Operations

To solve this, the team integrated Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) into charging stations, managed by a digital twin and AI platform. The system simulates scenarios, predicts outcomes, and optimizes station operations in real time. Multi-level optimization, dynamic load management, and game theory address energy efficiency and user behavior simultaneously.

Dr. Do Danh Cuong, head of the research team, explained that Volterra can coordinate operations across a network of stations. If a station nears capacity, the system automatically redistributes demand to other stations or encourages users to charge at different times through pricing and service incentives.

Simulations in Vietnam show that Volterra’s solution can reduce operational costs by up to 40%, triple investment efficiency, and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions when combined with renewable energy.

Fast Commercialization and Product Development

VinUni’s Entrepreneurship Laboratory (ELAB) involved students in market surveys to complement Volterra’s scientific research. This created a spin-off model, where research development and business operations run in parallel, supporting each other.

Within six months, Volterra developed three product lines: fixed charging stations, flexible charging stations, and automated charging robots. Each product demonstrates practical applications of its core technology.

Professor Laurent emphasized, “Research with commercialization potential builds public trust. Innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization must be applied from the earliest stage of a project.”

To Van Lang, CEO of Volterra, added, “Products based on strong scientific foundations developed in leading universities have greater competitive potential and long-term social impact.”

Volterra in the Market and Society

Volterra is now fully operational as a business. The company continues to navigate market fluctuations, demonstrating how academic spin-offs can bring research into practical markets.

A pilot smart EV charging station has already been built and operated on VinUni’s campus, marking the first step in scaling technology-driven EV infrastructure in Vietnam.

PHOTO: VOLTERRA

This article was created with AI assistance.

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