Hitachi ABB Power Grids launches new charging system that can be connected to any type of grid

According to foreign media reports, on July 15 local time, Hitachi ABB Power Grids (Hitachi once acquired ABB's power system business) announced the launch of a revolutionary grid-plug-in electric vehicle charging system - Grid-eMotion™ Fleet, which can bring a leapfrog charging method to public transportation and commercial operators. This smart mobile travel solution allows operators to effectively scale up operations and is expected to create a sustainable society for cities with millions of people.

(Image source: Hitachi ABB Power Grids)

Since 2013, the world's leading technology company has been committed to the development of electric vehicle charging solutions and has launched innovative flash charging eBus solutions for the first time in Geneva and Nantes (French city). Working closely with transport operators, Hitachi ABB Power Grids has determined that the market needs a more comprehensive large-scale charging approach. The launch of Grid-eMotion™ Fleet marks the transition of charging solutions from a charging product-based approach to a charging system-based approach, which will help accelerate the realization of the future smart mobility society.

Hitachi ABB Power Grids will leverage its world-class power system technologies, combined with Hitachi's advanced digital technologies and innovations in smart cities and sustainable mobility, to create a new joint venture that will provide a wider range of clean solutions for the global mobility market.

Grid-eMotion™ Fleet uses a standard container to integrate the grid connection and charging system. It uses DC technology and can be connected to any type of grid, eliminating the complexity of integrating AC-DC chargers into the system. Compared with traditional solutions connected to the AC grid, this solution can reduce the space required for charging large-scale electric vehicle fleets by 60%. This quick installation solution utilizes renewable energy through grid integration, smart mobility, digital energy management systems, and insights from data analysis.

Grid-eMotion™ Fleet uses Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ intelligent energy management solution e-mesh™ EMS to manage and improve the complete charging infrastructure, calculate bus energy consumption, and design, plan and deliver efficient services for passengers. Digital analytics monitor battery life data, route data, traffic simulation and warehouse control to ensure that electricity is used efficiently and energy storage and overnight charging are optimized.

Globally, 801% of municipal buses are expected to be electric by 2040. There are already 400,000 electric buses in service, a figure that is expected to rise to 2.3 million by 2040. Operators now need solutions that go beyond chargers to help them seamlessly connect to the grid and power their expanding fleet of electric vehicles.