Scania, a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles, and ABB E-mobility, a global provider of electric vehicle charging solutions, have successfully conducted the first test of their pilot Megawatt Charging System (MCS). This successful test marks a significant step forward in the development of an efficient, high-power charging solution for heavy-duty vehicles. The new technology promises to cut charging time in half for these vehicles.
The collaboration between Scania and ABB E-mobility is a crucial effort in driving the electrification of heavy-duty transport, a sector responsible for 40 per cent of global road transport emissions. Both companies share a commitment to enabling a zero-emission transport future and are at the forefront of developing innovative technologies today. The development of a fast-charging solution for commercial electric vehicles, which also provides substantial range, represents a major advancement in increasing the sales of heavy-duty vehicles capable of operating without fossil fuels.
The initial testing focused on verifying the technical feasibility of high-current charging, laying the foundation for the future MCS system by ABB E-mobility. This milestone will lead to the gradual deployment of high-power chargers, starting from 1,500 Amperes and eventually expanding to the full MCS scope of up to 3,000 Amperes. Scania and ABB E-mobility have made significant investments and played a crucial role in the collaborative development of the MCS standard in conjunction with CharIN. The MCS standard is expected to be finalized in 2024.
The MCS technology holds critical importance for Scania’s long-haul electric trucks, as these vehicles are subject to strict driving and resting time regulations. Drivers can operate the vehicle for a maximum of 4.5 hours before taking a mandatory 45-minute break, during which time the truck must recharge enough power to operate for another 4.5 hours. Given the size of the batteries, fast and high-power charging is essential to meet these requirements.
Fredrik Allard, Head of E-mobility at Scania, stated, “We see momentum for electric transport, and our goal is that 50 per cent of all vehicles we sell annually by 2030 are electric. To achieve this, we need infrastructure, and the MCS system is a crucial piece of the puzzle for future infrastructure.”
As a global leader in EV charging solutions, ABB E-mobility is dedicated to providing reliable charging infrastructure and robust service capabilities required by fleets to transition successfully to electric vehicles.
Chris Nordh, Global Head of the Fleet & Transit business at ABB E-mobility, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, saying, “We are delighted to be working with Scania on this groundbreaking pilot project, which will set a new standard in the sector and exemplify our collaborative approach to OEM charging partnerships. By effectively integrating the technology stack, we create exceptional end-user experiences. Today marks an exciting day, and we look forward to achieving many more milestones as we continue to develop a high-quality, reliable, and seamless charging experience for fleets.”
Starting this year, Scania will offer trucks with the MCS pre-standard connector to customers with specific requirements, with production slated to commence in 2024. ABB E-mobility plans to introduce the next iteration of its MCS technology in late 2024 or early 2025.
ABB E-mobility, with approximately 1,500 employees worldwide, is a driving force in enabling zero-emission mobility and a leading provider of EV charging solutions. The company is the preferred partner for major EV original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and nationwide EV charging network operators. ABB E-mobility offers a wide range of EV charging solutions, including smart chargers for homes, high-power
