ABB has been selected by Chargefox as a key technology partner and supplier for its ultra-rapid charging network.

Chargefox plans to build a government backed network of electric-vehicle stations connecting major cities in Australia to make long trips as feasible for electric vehicles as for fuel powered vehicles.

Earlier this month the company opened its first station in Euroa, Victoria on the Hume Highway, about 160km northeast of Melbourne.

The site features two of ABB’s most technologically advanced high-speed chargers, the Terra HP. The 350kW Terra HP charging stations are the first with liquid-cooled cables to be installed in Australia and are capable of delivering up to 400km of range in 15 minutes, making them the fastest of any charger currently deployed across the country.

The Chargefox ultra-rapid network will extend to a total of 21 sites to be launched before 2020.

The second Chargefox site, which will also feature two 350kW Terra HP chargers, is planned for Barnawartha North, near Albury and will be deployed before the end of next year.

The addition of a further two high power charge stations on the main corridor between Melbourne and regional Victoria will dramatically reduce charging time for drivers travelling interstate.

Ambitious carbon reduction targets

Frank Muehlon, Managing Director for electric vehicle charging infrastructure at ABB, said:

“ABB is proud to collaborate with Chargefox and its partners on this innovative venture, the first of its kind in Australia, and to be able to assist in deploying the first of the new generation of high-power charging stations in Asia Pacific.

“Australia has set itself some ambitious carbon reduction targets and we are delighted that our pioneering charging technology can assist in driving the increased adoption of electric vehicles and the resultant benefits for the environment.”

ABB’S Terra HP chargers employ the CCS charging format, one of the main industry standards. They can also support the CHAdeMO DC fast charging standard enabling them to charge all electric vehicles available on the market today and those soon to be released onto the local market.

The Terra HP also benefits from the ABB Ability™ Connected Services digital networking suite portfolio, linking the charging station to payment platforms and smart grid systems. The cloud-based ABB Abilityconnection also enables smart trip planning for travellers by indicating where the next recharge stop will be.

High levels of safety

ABB Ability™ delivers web-enabled connectivity that allows e-mobility charging network operators to perform remote monitoring, remote diagnosis, remote upgrade, online payment and energy management, while ensuring high levels of safety and availability of the charging service.

Evan Beaver, Charging Manager for Chargefox said when choosing hardware for the ultra-rapid sites, the company was looking for a solution that was flexible, straightforward to install and met approval requirements from relevant bodies.

"ABB’s Terra HP fast charging solution met this brief, with the additional benefit of ABB’s equipment being well-known and trusted by network operators.

“ABB is at the forefront of EV technology, with their Terra HP chargers suitable for all types of electric vehicles on the market today. We are confident this technology will also ensure we are future ready as Australia’s EV market grows. We are extremely excited to deploy the first fast chargers of this power in Australia, and keen to hear from our clients about how their experience is for these first two sites.”

ABB entered the EV-charging market in 2010, and today has a fast-growing global installed base of 8,000 ABB DC chargers, including high power chargers up to 350 kW, installed across 68 countries.

The ABB 350kW Terra HP charging stations are the first with liquid-cooled cables to be installed in Australia

From left … Steve Amor, EV Infrastructure Solutions for ABB in Australia, Lily D'Ambrosia, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, David Sullivan, Electrification Products Division Manager for ABB in Australia and Evan Beaver, Charging Manager for Chargefox