Electric Vehicles and e-mobility options are undoubtedly the way forward for transport in Europe. Building an easy way to buy and lease electric vehicles online, Swedish startup Carla has just picked up €19 million.
Moving to a more sustainable society requires reimaging how we move. On a mission to help us get from A to B in a more environmentally-friendly way, Carla is building an e-commerce marketplace specifically for electric cars. The startup has just secured €19 million in fresh funding and is driving forward its journey to lead this space in Europe.
The funding was led by Bonnier Ventures, with participation from investors including Inbox Capital, Black Ice, and VNV Global, bringing the total funding for the Swedish startup to €32 million.
Founded in 2021 by Patrik Illerstig, formerly Head of Global Online Business at Volvo Cars, and Niklas Jungegård, a serial tech entrepreneur, Carla was launched with the ambition to make one of life’s more stressful and challenging decisions simpler – that of buying a car. At the same time, the startup wants to make sure the choice is a sustainable one.
With Carla, customers can buy, sell or lease electric cars online. Customers are offered a pickup and delivery time of just 72 hours and all EVs go through battery testing and inspection to ensure the best condition of each vehicle. This is in addition to a 12-month guarantee, favourable financing, a 14-day right of withdrawal, and free returns when Carla picks up the car.
Looking to the future, the funding will be used to fuel the international expansion of the Nordic marketplace, scale product development, increase the capacity for deliveries and repair of cars, and, the development of aftermarket services.
Patrik Illerstig, CEO and founder of Carla, said: “We are proud to be raising money from reputable investors, both existing and new – despite the current global and market situation. It is reassuring that we, together with our investors, share the long-term vision of radically improving the experience of selling, acquiring, and owning an electric car.”
Dajana Mirborn, Investment Director at Bonnier Ventures, added: “We are glad to be supporting Carla in this round and are impressed by the growth it has shown and the reception the service has received in the market. The investment is also part of our increased focus on sustainability and an important investment in relation to the transition to a more sustainable society. We look forward to following and supporting the company on its continued journey that is only in its infancy.”
