Göteborg Energi places order for two 450kW ABB OppCharge fast chargers, facilitating more efficient operation for articulated high-capacity electric buses in Gothenburg.

ABB, global leader in EV charging solutions, has today announced a project with Volvo Buses, Västtrafik and Göteborg Energi to bring its 450kW Opportunity Charging (OppCharge) system to the city of Gothenburg. Due for delivery in spring 2018, two fast chargers will be installed at Sahlgrenska University

Hospital and Eriksberg Square, on line 16 of the city’s bus network, on which two prototype electric articulated high capacity buses from Volvo will operate.

The order comes after a successful two-year trial under the ElectriCity venture, during which 10 all-electric or partially electrified buses have run on the city’s bus route 55.

Lotta Brändström, CEO of Göteborg Energi, explains: “We are committed to providing charging solutions for Gothenburg, whether that is for EV passenger cars or for the city’s public transport network.

The transition of the transport sector is one of our biggest challenges and we understand that this will take the combination of many different solutions.”

When the Volvo Ocean Race is staged in Gothenburg in June 2018, two electrically powered articulated buses will showcase the latest developments. These two prototype buses will then run on route 16, which will be equipped with charging infrastructure and bus stop facilities for electrified high-capacity traffic.

“The fact that the chargers operate so quickly is vital for keeping traffic moving and for increasing the capacity of the network,” added Fredrik Persson, project manager at Göteborg Energi. “The efficiency of ABB’s new charging stations in combination with their high performance is the key to the concept.”

ABB is at the forefront of driving charging solutions at the cutting edge of sustainable mobility. With this order, ABB will supply the complete 450kW OppCharge system, enabling the quick and efficient charge of high passenger capacity electric buses in Gothenburg.

Frank Muehlon, Head of ABB’s global business for EV Charging Infrastructure added: “As a global leader in EV charging solutions, we are proud to be partnering with Volvo, Västtrafik and Göteborg Energi on delivering this efficient charging solution for the city of Gothenburg.

“This project marks another positive step in an ongoing partnership between ABB and Volvo, which has seen our companies work side by side since 2014 on co-developing city-wide electric bus solutions for improved and sustainable urban mobility.”

The chargers are part of the ABB AbilityTM portfolio of digital solutions where cloud connectivity allows for remote diagnosis and management, ensuring reliable and efficient infrastructure for bus passengers.

ABB has provided charging solutions as part of its drive to promote sustainable mobility since 2010 and has sold more than 6,000 cloud connected DC fast-chargers around the world for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. To date, ABB has installed OppCharge systems around the world, enabling many electric buses to be charged, including installations in Canada, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, France and Belgium during the past year.

OppCharge is an open interface for the automated charging of both single and double deck electric buses, which can be utilized by any manufacturer, using a pantograph on the infrastructure to connect the bus to the charging point. More information about OppCharge is available at www.oppcharge.org.

About Göteborg Energi

As West Sweden's leading energy company Göteborg Energi specializes in electricity, district heating and electricity networks, gas, cooling, energy services and city fiber. The company is working towards a sustainable Gothenburg society by, among other things, a smarter, more sustainable housing programme and the reduction of CO2 emissions in the city. Read more at www.goteborgenergi.se

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 more than a 125-year history of innovation, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 136,000 employees. www.abb.com