Swiss energy network operator Primeo Energie and Alpiq E-Mobility have opened their first highway charging stations in Switzerland on the A2 motorway in Inseli and Chilchbuehl

Attended by Swiss officials including Jürg Röthlisberger, Director of the Federal Roads Office, the launch represents the first of twenty highway charging sites planned and features ABB’s complete infrastructure solution, which is built around its Terra High Power and regular Terra DC fast chargers at the core.

As part of Switzerland’s commitment to reduce emissions by 50 percent from 1990 to 2050, the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) is promoting the development of a nationwide charging network by electrifying approximately 100 motorway rest areas which it operates throughout Switzerland over the next few years.

Many of these locations have little or no power supply, and with charging points served by different utilities, each can have its own specific cost structures and peak demand charges.

The end to end solution from ABB is enabling a new business model for Primeo Energie and Alpiq E-Mobility within the high growth e-mobility sector, making it easier to manage costs in real-time with intelligent energy management solutions and ensuring drivers enjoy a reliable and consistently priced service.

Daniel Laager, Head of e-mobility at Primeo Energie comments: “The technology partnership with ABB enables us to offer our customers interesting conditions and at the same time optimize operating costs.”

The rest areas in Inseli and Chilchbuehl are equipped with a 50 kW Terra 54 charger which provides regular DC fast charging capabilities and is a cornerstone in the market leading ABB charging portfolio. This solution supports simultaneous charging of two cars; one with DC fast charging and another vehicle with slower AC charging.

Additionally, a 350kW high power DC charger in a modular setup with two charging posts for two additional electric vehicles is capable of providing most vehicles up to 200km of range in as little as 8 minutes. Dynamic power sharing between the charging posts enables flexibility to charge higher power vehicles, such as trucks or buses quickly without the need for dedicated charging infrastructure.

As a one-stop solution provider, ABB has also delivered a 170kWh battery energy storage system (BESS) with power output of 330kW to help reduce operating costs through peak-shaving and to enhance system availability and reliability. In addition, energy management is facilitated by the cloud-based ABB AbilityTM Optimax. Thanks to this completely inter-connected e-mobility solution, the local supply network does not have to directly cover the peak load during charging, which significantly reduces costs for operators and end consumers. This technical layout is unique in Switzerland for charging points of this capacity.

Frank Muehlon, Head of ABB’s global business for E-mobility Infrastructure Solutions added: “A key part of our Mission to Zero, ABB innovations are supporting the growth of sustainable and reliable e-mobility. We are committed to making charging station networks simpler investments to operate.

“ABB’s complete solution helps shave peaks in demand and reduces the associated higher tariffs they incur, optimizing operating costs and maximizing return on investment. For energy suppliers entering the e-mobility sector, ABB chargers provide all the flexibility, connectivity and features needed to enable such new business models to succeed.”

The same end to end e-mobility solution will be delivered for the other three Primeo Energie highway charging stations to be launched in 2020.

ABB has unrivalled expertise in developing sustainable transport solutions. Since entering the EV-charging market a decade ago, ABB has sold more than 14,000 ABB DC fast chargers across more than 80 countries. ABB recently received the Global E-mobility Leader 2019 award for its role in supporting the international adoption of sustainable transport solutions.

About ABB

ABB is a leading global engineering company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by 144,000 talented employees in over 100 countries.