ABB EV charging explained

ABB’s ‘Navigating EV Charging Technology’ webinar had ABB global e-mobility lead Wim Elshout describing progress and mentioning its new Terra 360 charger will soon be launched in New Zealand.

More than 400 people viewed the August 4, hour-long New Zealand webinar, Elshout explaining ABB’s progress since 2010, its products and EV charging’s likely future.

The Terra 360 is an example of the latter, although Elshout says ABB supports all use cases, ranging from AC chargers to powerful DC chargers simultaneously charging multiple EVs and even e-buses and e-trucks, with megawatt (MW) chargers increasing.

While CCS is likely to become the main global charging standard, Elshout says ABB chargers cater for a variety of other charging forms, such as Chademo in New Zealand because of the country’s large amount of Japanese EV imports.

It’s a similar story for paying for EV charge ups with credit cards and using other methods like Autocharge which provides automatic authorisation for charging sessions without using a RFID tag, card or mobile phone app. ABB works with some businesses to have plug-in and pay systems.

ABB is working with Gridserve in the United Kingdom, FIFA in Qatar for the 2022 football world cup in November and December where about 475 e-buses will use 150kW chargers, ASKO in Norway for its e-truck fleet, and has a rooftop building in Germany to house charging related products to power e-buses there.

Elshout says ABB is working with OEMs and others to ensure compatibility with its products as most can be customised for suit, while it has third party certification to ensure safety and reliability.

He says battery energy storage systems (BESS) can be integrated, along with solar and wind generated power and bi-directional charging, while modern technology allows incorporation of communications and other products in the one cabinet, along with advertising and LEDs which can blink at the same rate as the charging so that EV drivers can see progress while having a cuppa in a nearby café.

Elshout recommends using AC charging occasionally to top up and assist EV battery life – especially if using DC fast charging frequently, although he referred some questions about EV batteries to manufacturers to answer (more than 60 general questions were asked, with Elshout only able to answer a few in the time given).

Asked about charger lifespan, Elshout estimates they should last 10 to 15 years depending on usage, and that ABB also supports any charger decommissioning.

ABB can also help EV drivers with any charging related questions.

Click here for more on the webinar.

Visit the ABB EV charger website ABB EV Charging or contact e-mobility product marketing manager Debbie van der Schyff at debbie.vanderschyff@nz.abb.com for further information.