IM Efficiency
IM Efficiency is a Dutch technology company that develops the SolarOnTop vehicle-integrated photovoltaic system for heavy-duty trucks and trailers, selling solar hardware directly to European logistics fleet operators to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersHelmond, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What IM Efficiency does
IM Efficiency is a Dutch technology company founded in 2014 and headquartered in Helmond, Netherlands, that develops vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) for the heavy-duty road freight transport sector. The company's core product, the SolarOnTop system, mounts integrated solar panels onto trucks and trailers to generate electricity onboard, with documented field performance of up to 13,967 kWh annually over a 12-month monitoring period. The technology is positioned to reduce diesel fuel consumption, lower CO2 emissions, and extend the daily range of electric trucks by up to 15%, with a stated payback period of under two years for diesel fleet operators.
IM Efficiency generates revenue through hardware sales of its SolarOnTop system to heavy-duty logistics companies and trucking fleet operators across European markets, employing a direct B2B enterprise sales motion. The company has secured seed funding from BOM, Rockstart, and private investors to scale production, develop new solar products, and expand into European markets. It participates in the SolarMoves research consortium alongside Fraunhofer ISE, TNO, Sono Motors, and Lightyear, and has been featured in the IEA PVPS Task 17 technical report as a commercial VIPV product. Leadership consists of co-founders Martijn Ildiz (founder and CEO), Ruud Derks (Chief Strategic Officer), and Jelle Aarnoudse (co-owner).
IM Efficiency firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IM Efficiency
- Legal name
- IM Efficiency
- Website
- https://imefficiency.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- IM Efficiency is a Dutch technology company that develops the SolarOnTop vehicle-integrated photovoltaic system for heavy-duty trucks and trailers, selling solar hardware directly to European logistics fleet operators to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IM Efficiency industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vehicle-Integrated Solar Systems
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (33632), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611)
- SIC
- Motors & Generators (3621), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar Mounting, Racking & Trackers (Fixed-Tilt, Single/Dual-Axis, Rooftop Mounts) (EUAMABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ)
Keywords
Where IM Efficiency is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Helmond
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
IM Efficiency business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- SolarOnTop Hardware Sales: Sale of solar panel systems (SolarOnTop) for installation on trucks and trailers. The company manufactures and sells the integrated solar technology to heavy-duty logistics operators.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
IM Efficiency product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IM Efficiency develops and manufactures SolarOnTop, a vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) solar technology system mounted on heavy-duty trucks and trailers. The system generates electricity from integrated solar panels to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, extending daily electric truck range by up to 15% and enabling diesel trucks to recoup investment costs in under two years.
Product overview
IM Efficiency offers a unified solar technology product for the heavy-duty logistics sector. The SolarOnTop vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) system is installed on trucks and trailers to generate electricity from integrated solar panels, reducing reliance on diesel fuel and lowering operational costs and emissions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SolarOnTop: Onboard solar technology system for trucks and trailers that reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
- SolaronTop
Products and services
- SolarOnTop Vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) solar technology system designed for heavy-duty trucks and trailers. Generates electricity from solar panels mounted on vehicles to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Documented to generate up to 13,967 kWh annually based on 12-month monitoring data.
Quantifiable outcome
- Electric trucks can extend daily range by up to 15% using integrated solar panels
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use IM Efficiency
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
IM Efficiency technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
IM Efficiency partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Fraunhofer ISEcoreLeading European solar research institute leading the SolarMoves research project investigating Vehicle Integrated Photovoltaics potential. IM Efficiency is a consortium partner contributing real-world vehicle data and commercial VIPV product insights.
- TNOcoreTNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) leads the SolarMoves research consortium investigating VIPV technology potential across Europe. IM Efficiency participates as a commercial partner providing vehicle integration expertise.
- Sono MotorsminorGerman solar electric vehicle company and SolarMoves consortium partner collaborating on Vehicle Integrated Photovoltaics research alongside IM Efficiency.
- LightyearminorDutch solar electric vehicle manufacturer and SolarMoves consortium partner sharing VIPV research data with IM Efficiency and other consortium members.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
IM Efficiency competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Scania: Major commercial vehicle OEM that has publicly demonstrated solar-powered truck and trailer concepts. Operates at vastly greater scale than IM Efficiency and could disrupt with factory-integrated VIPV offerings.
- Volvo Trucks: Global heavy-duty truck manufacturer actively researching solar integration on trucks and trailers. Reaches the same fleet customer base as IM Efficiency with much greater commercial leverage.
- Tesla: Cybertruck development includes optional solar tonneau cover that extends vehicle range. Demonstrates strategic interest in VIPV for commercial-format vehicles overlapping IM Efficiency's downstream market.
- Hanwha Qcells: Global tier-1 solar PV manufacturer with growing automotive mobility applications. Represents a potential upstream supplier or downstream competitor as VIPV volumes scale.
- Mercedes-Benz Trucks: Daimler Truck subsidiary offering electric heavy-duty trucks and exploring solar body integrations. Has the engineering depth and fleet relationships to internalize VIPV technology if it scales.
Direct peers
- Sono Motors: German solar EV company and SolarMoves consortium partner. Both specialize in integrating solar panels into vehicle bodies to generate electricity and reduce grid/fuel demand.
- Lightyear: Dutch solar electric vehicle manufacturer and SolarMoves consortium partner alongside IM Efficiency. Both apply Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics to commercial vehicles as a primary technology approach.
- Aptera: US-based solar electric vehicle manufacturer whose entire vehicle design is built around solar body panels. Direct technical parallel to IM Efficiency's VIPV approach, although focused on consumer passenger cars.
Emerging players
- Webasto: Major automotive roof and solar supplier developing integrated photovoltaic roof systems for passenger and commercial vehicles. Represents a likely future competitor in OEM-integrated VIPV.
- Nikola Corporation: US electric and hydrogen heavy-duty truck competitor targeting the same fleet electrification buyer. Competes for the same decarbonization budget pool as IM Efficiency, although with different powertrain technology.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IM Efficiency social profiles
Digital presenceIM Efficiency financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IM Efficiency leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
IM Efficiency funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IM Efficiency M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IM Efficiency
What does IM Efficiency do?
IM Efficiency develops and manufactures SolarOnTop, a vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) solar technology system mounted on heavy-duty trucks and trailers. The system generates electricity from integrated solar panels to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, extending daily electric truck range by up to 15% and enabling diesel trucks to recoup investment costs in under two years.
Is IM Efficiency a public or private company?
IM Efficiency is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was IM Efficiency founded?
IM Efficiency was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is IM Efficiency based?
IM Efficiency is headquartered in Helmond, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does IM Efficiency make money?
One revenue line is on record: solarOnTop Hardware Sales.
Who are IM Efficiency's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Scania, Volvo Trucks, Tesla, Hanwha Qcells and Mercedes-Benz Trucks. Direct peers are Sono Motors, Lightyear and Aptera. Emerging players are Webasto and Nikola Corporation.
Does IM Efficiency have an API?
No public API is recorded for IM Efficiency.
What industry is IM Efficiency in?
IM Efficiency's product category is Vehicle-Integrated Solar Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMABAF, Solar Mounting, Racking & Trackers (Fixed-Tilt, Single/Dual-Axis, Rooftop Mounts), with a secondary code of EUACALAJ, Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro). Its NAICS code is 33632 and its SIC code is 3621.