AI Electric Trucking Startup NexDash Raises €5M

1 month ago
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By Ahsan Ali

Europe’s freight industry has long struggled with pollution from old diesel trucks, many of which are owned by small operators who lack the money and technology to upgrade. Heavy-duty trucks produce more than a third of all transportation-related carbon emissions in Europe, yet switching to electric vehicles has been slow. High upfront costs, limited charging stations, and complicated logistics have held the industry back.

NexDash, a Berlin startup launched in 2025 by entrepreneur Michael Cassau, wants to break that pattern. Cassau, who previously founded the tech rental unicorn Grover, is now setting out to build a cleaner, smarter freight network across Europe—one that relies on software, sustainability, and large-scale planning instead of outdated diesel fleets.

The company announced it has raised €5 million in seed funding from Extantia Capital and Clean Energy Ventures. The money will help launch what NexDash calls Europe’s first “Neo-Carrier,” an all-electric freight carrier powered by artificial intelligence and designed to transform how goods move on the road.

The centerpiece of NexDash’s system is NexOS, an AI-run platform that manages truck fleets, charging stations, and financing all at once. By connecting everything in real time, NexOS turns trucking from a scattered, equipment-heavy business into a smooth, data-driven service.

NexDash uses a “Trucking-as-a-Service” model, buying up mid-sized diesel fleet operators and then converting their vehicles to electric through scalable financing. Once electrified, those trucks join NexDash’s software-led network, built to lower costs while cutting emissions.

Unlike Sweden’s Einride and Volta Trucks, NexDash combines three major pieces: acquiring fleets, financing their shift to electric, and running them through its AI operating system. This mix of technology, capital, and operations offers a different path toward sustainable logistics.

Joern-Carlos Kuntze, Partner at Extantia Capital, explained, “Electrification in heavy-duty transport doesn’t fail because of technology, but because of orchestration. NexDash integrates software, infrastructure, and capital where it matters most – in operations.”

With its new €5 million in funding, NexDash plans to speed up acquisitions, roll out its first electric trucks, and grow its charging network across Germany and other European countries. Its goal: a fully connected, fully electric freight system built for a greener future.

Author Profile

Ahsan Ali

Ahsan Ali is a technology and business journalist who covers the latest developments in autonomous vehicles and innovative startups.

With a sharp eye for industry trends, he breaks down complex tech stories into clear, engaging insights for general readers.