For this year’s annual World Economic Forum (January 23–26, 2018), the city of Davos and ABB have teamed up in a long-term partnership to provide an e-infrastructure for public and private transportation.
Davos residents and WEF guests can experience the pioneering TOSA bus for themselves. The award-winning TOSA bus, developed by ABB in Switzerland, is already in use in Geneva and will soon be implemented in the French city of Nantes. It can recharge its battery in just 20 seconds as passengers board and disembark. In Davos, it will operate on the busy Line 1, running from the tourist center to the hospital. This is the first time TOSA technology is being used in an Alpine region. The idea is to run the system under extreme winter weather conditions; ABB and its project partners expect to gain valuable insights from this pilot project.
In addition, eight ABB fast-charging stations with both AC and DC have been provided for electric cars. The fast-charging infrastructure has been installed in high-traffic areas throughout the greater Davos area.
The TOSA technology received the prestigious Swiss energy award – the 2018 Watt d’Or – in Bern on January 11, 2018.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. As title partner of Formula E, the fully electric international FIA motorsport class, ABB is pushing the boundaries of e-mobility to contribute to a sustainable future. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 136,000 employees. www.abb.com
Davos has the highest elevation of any European town and is also one of the biggest tourism destinations in the Alps. Davos has around 13,000 permanent residents and welcomes over two million guests each year (measured in overnight stays). With an area of 284 km², Davos is one of the largest municipalities in Switzerland. Modern-day Davos is a venue for sporting events, conventions and summits. But the municipality also has five research institutes, making it an important academic center. Davos has been a “European Energy Award” city since 2001. “European Energy Award” cities promote renewable energies, eco-friendly mobility and the efficient use of resources. www.gemeindedavos.ch
