ABB's Terra HP chargers have been installed at the first three Electrify America locations to open as part of this landmark infrastructure project, with many more charging sites to come this year.
Unveiled in Chicopee, Massachusetts as well as Fincastle and Reston, Virginia, ABB's Terra HP charging systems are now ready for use by drivers of all electric vehicle (EV) models available in the US.
While not many EVs can charge at 350kW yet, these sites are future proof, serving both today's battery electric vehicles and those in the future that may benefit from improvements in battery technology. This will enable fast charging times for even the longest range EV's.
"A few years ago, the idea of putting 350kW of direct power into a consumer's hand was considered unheard of," says Frank Muehlon, Head of ABB's Global Business for Electric Vehicle Charging. "Now we have created a new standard for high power charging with next generation vehicles."
Growing battery sizes have increased demand for faster charging. "Several years ago, when DC fast charging was first introduced, the idea that an EV could charge in less than 30 minutes with a 50kW DC fast charger was a significant step forward." Muehlon explains. "But new EVs have batteries three or four times the size of those original electric vehicles, making the fast, convenient and flexible charging essential to EV ownership. The way to achieve this is to dramatically increase the power delivery, and ABB has worked closely with many vehicle OEMs and suppliers to push this technology where it needed to go."
The need for a robust, higher power charging network will increase as demand for fast charging capability keeps pace with the development of vehicles carrying larger batteries for longer distances travel. Electrify America is now filling this need, creating a nationwide network of high power charging systems that will connect the west coast to the east coast, and aggressively fill in locations across the Plains, Great Lakes and Southern States, that previously hadn't benefitted from a high number of corridor connected charging points.
"ABB is working hard with Electrify America to deploy stations like those in Chicopee and Fincastle throughout the United States," added Muehlon. "We feel very proud to have achieved many firsts when it comes to EV charging infrastructure. Over the last decade, we deployed the first DC fast charger in Europe, the first CCS protocol compliant chargers in many countries, the first country-wide network in Estonia and installed the first 150 kW charger in the United States last year. With Electrify America's historic investment in US charging infrastructure, we can now claim another first with the launch of 350kW high power public charging in the United States."
Creating innovative, state-of-the-art and reliable solutions, which are scalable to expand and flex with its customers' needs, is at the heart of ABB's philosophy. Ideally suited for use at highway rest stops and petrol stations, Terra HP's ultra-high current design has the capacity to charge electric vehicles up to 1,000V at full power.
As part of its $2 billion investment over the next ten years in electric vehicle infrastructure and education, Electrify America plans to place chargers on its highway routes at intervals of no more than 120 miles (195 kilometers), meaning drivers across the US can be confident they'll be able to reach their destinations with ease.
ABB (NYSE: ABB) 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 with two clear value propositions: bringing electricity from any power plant to any plug and automating industries from natural resources to finished products. 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 135,000 employees. www.abb.com
Electrify America: Electrify America LLC, which is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, is investing $2 billion over 10 years in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, education and access. The investment will enable millions of Americans to discover the benefits of electric driving and support the build-out of a nationwide network of workplace, community and highway chargers that are convenient and reliable. For more information and to view the national and California ZEV investment plans, visit www.electrifyamerica.com.
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Media Relations:
Melissa London
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