The carmaker’s joint venture buys the technology from ABB.
(Photo: imago images / Arnulf Hettrich)
Zurich The Swiss industrial group ABB is launching a new charging station for electric cars that will allow charging at record speed. The new Terra 360 product has an output of 360 kilowatts and can fully charge all suitable e-cars within a maximum of 15 minutes, the company announced on Thursday.
For a range of 100 kilometers, only a three-minute refueling stop will be necessary in the future. Four cars can also charge at the same time at the fast charging station. The new fast charging station is scheduled to hit the market in Europe as early as the end of 2021.
With the Terra 360, ABB is expanding its product range for charging solutions at petrol stations, rest stops and shopping centers. The company also announced that the charging station is also suitable for parking spaces where there is little space.
The Swiss industrial group is one of the market leaders, both for large charging stations in public spaces and for wall boxes for the garage. The new product is intended to consolidate this position.
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Frank Muehlon, head of the E-Mobility division at ABB, said in an interview with the Handelsblatt: “We have a thick order book.” Demand is high both in Europe and in the USA.
EU and USA accelerate expansion of charging infrastructure
The European Union wants to promote the expansion of the charging infrastructure. From 2025 onwards, the member states are to guarantee a charging facility every 60 kilometers along the motorways. The federal government has set itself the goal of building around 1,000 stations by 2023. And the US administration under President Joe Biden wants to invest $ 15 billion in a nationwide charging network.
ABB works with the major petrol station operators, among others: “We have signed framework agreements with Shell, BP and Total,” says ABB manager Muehlon. Ionity, a joint venture with which major car manufacturers are expanding the charging network in Europe, is also one of ABB’s customers.
In addition, ABB wants to benefit from the trend that more and more car manufacturers are developing their own charging concepts for their customers. For example, Porsche has designed a kind of business lounge in which Porsche customers can eat, drink or work while the vehicle is charging. With regard to fast charging technology, Muehlon says: “It is clear that the car manufacturers don’t do it themselves. There will be tenders for suppliers. ”
However, the industry still has some catching up to do with the electric car pioneer Tesla. “Tesla is the market leader when it comes to charging infrastructure. The competition is still lagging behind. “
ABB is currently working on outsourcing the E-Mobility division with the aim of listing the division on the stock exchange as an independent company. The subsidiary could be valued at around three billion dollars on the stock exchange. However, ABB wants to remain an anchor shareholder in the company. The new fast charging station is intended to provide a further argument for the highest possible rating.
More: With the Porsche to the luxury lounge: German manufacturers are tinkering with their own charging concepts for electric cars