Scania and ABB trial Megawatt Charging System

SCANIA and ABB E-mobility have successfully completed the pilot trial of their co-developed Megawatt Charging System in what the duo is calling a “global milestone in the development of a charging system for heavy-duty vehicles”.

According to the results of the trial, the technology can halve the charging time of heavy-duty electric vehicles, which it is hoped in turn will increase the sales volumes of emissions-free trucks and buses.

The MCS will initial feature 1500-amp high-power chargers for heavy commercial vehicle use, and eventually extend to 3000-amp units. Scania said the technology is critical for the viability of its long-haul electric trucks, where both driving and rest times are regulated by law.

In the scenarios where a long-haul electric truck is driven for 4.5 hours, and the driver rested for 45 minutes, the MCS can provide adequate charge for the vehicle to be driven another 4.5 hours. High amperes are required to charge the vehicle’s sizeable batteries within this time frame.

“We see momentum for electric transport and our goal is that 50 per cent of all vehicle we sell annually by 2030 are electric,” explained Scania’s head of E-mobility, Fredrick Allard.

“To achieve this goal will require infrastructure and MCS is a crucial piece of the puzzle for that infrastructure going forward.”

ABB E-mobility is at the forefront of delivering reliable charging infrastructure globally and has to date provided a sizeable network of proven EV charging stations it says fleets will require in order to successfully transition to electric.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with Scania on this milestone pilot, which will set a precedent for the sector and identifies one of the ways we collaboratively approach OEM charging partnerships, effectively verticalising the technology stack to create great end-user experiences,” said ABB E-mobility’s global head of fleet and transit business, Chris Nordh.

From this year Scania will offer trucks with the MCS pre-standard connector to customers with specific and pronounced needs, with production set to begin in 2024.

ABB E-mobility will introduce the next iteration of its MCS technology in late 2024 or early 2025.