- ABB E-mobility, MAN debut megawatt electric truck charging, showcasing in Munich.
- The demonstration boasted over 700 kW power output, highlighting efficiency.
- The new technology extends range, promises rapid charging, and helps to solve infrastructure needs for adoption.
ABB E-mobility and MAN have combined forces to make megawatt electric truck charging a reality
ABB E-mobility and MAN Truck & Bus have achieved a significant feat: showcasing megawatt charging capabilities on an electric truck for the first time. This breakthrough was unveiled at the MAN development centre in Munich.
During the public demonstration, the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) underwent rigorous testing. It demonstrated an impressive power output exceeding 700 kW and a current of 1,000 A. This means the truck’s battery charged from 10% to 80% capacity in just half an hour. Notably, the MCS extends the vehicle’s range by approximately 300 to 400 km during legally mandated driving breaks.
Central to this breakthrough is the MCS standard, designed to handle charging capacities of up to 3.75 MW at 3,000 A. While the current demonstration showcased over 700 kW, the finalised MCS standard promises even greater charging power, significantly reducing charging times. This stands in contrast to existing CCS standard charging stations, which offer a maximum capacity of 400 kW at 500 A.
Dr Markus Söder, Bavarian Minister President, commended the trial:
“Bavaria is on the way to the mobility of the future: today. The starting signal was given for the first megawatt charging station for electric trucks at MAN in Munich. This is state-of-the-art ecological and economical e-mobility that is being developed in Bavaria. We need to put our domestic industry in a position to compete. Innovation and technology secure the future.
Michael Halbherr, CEO of ABB E-mobility, added:
“With MCS, sustainable long-distance transport with trucks and buses will be possible in the near future. We have proven that today. Even if we are still showing a prototype here: With the new MCS standard, we have not only doubled the amperage but also the charging capacity within just a few years. To achieve the energy transition in transport, we need solutions that are sustainable, reliable and economical. To achieve this, we need to think integratively and work together. Today’s demonstration is also the result of close collaboration between MAN and ABB E-mobility and the entire industry,”
The international standardisation process for MCS is progressing steadily. However, the widespread implementation of megawatt charging hinges on external critical factors.
Crucially, grid expansion and digitalisation are imperative. These elements are essential not only for facilitating the transition to renewable energy sources but also for ensuring the scalability and accessibility of EV charging networks.
Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus, explained:
“The goal is 30,000 MCS charging points in Europe by 2030, around 4,000 of them in Germany. We put one of the first charging points into operation today. We don’t have much time left to set it up. The electric trucks are available, megawatt charging is working. We now need clear signals from politicians, not least to build trust among our customers in favour of electrification. We now need to build and scale up the infrastructure quickly.”
The successful demonstration of megawatt charging capabilities marks a significant leap towards widespread electric trucking. It underscores the potential for EV technology to redefine efficiency and practicality in transportation. Imagine, for example, a megahub as we’ve seen in California, filled with MCS enabled megawatt chargers. Suddenly, electric trucks are a no-brainer.
