ABB Creates EV Charging Breakthrough With Launch of Terra SC

ZURICH, Switzerland, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• New Smart Connect DC fast charger available at breakthrough price of 9,988 euros
• Smart power solution eliminates need for costly grid connection upgrade
• Experience convenient charging: park your EV and charge in 30-120 minutes
• Easy to install at any location due to ultra-thin design; floor and wall-mount options
• Connectivity features include PIN code access and special software services for fleets
• Terra SC makes smart fast charging accessible for a much wider audience, providing a strong boost to the development of electric mobility in general

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, today launched the Terra Smart Connect (SC), a breakthrough product that will significantly improve the business case for installing electric-vehicle (EV) fast chargers throughout Europe. The Terra SC will be available for delivery in Europe in the second quarter, starting at the breakthrough price of 9,988 euros for small volume orders.

The Terra SC is a cost-effective direct-current (DC) charger specifically designed for convenient fast charging in commercial and office areas. It fully charges an electric car in 30-120 minutes, while the driver attends a business meeting, goes to the movies or enjoys a meal. The Terra SC is also perfectly suited for people who want to keep driving but don't necessarily need a full charge: it can charge the battery of currently available EVs from 30% to 80% in less than half an hour.

Despite its breakthrough price, the Terra SC comes standard with outdoor stainless steel housing, a full-color 8 inch intuitive touch-screen user interface and all the smart connectivity features that ABB's Terra chargers are known for. It is quick and easy to install at almost any location due to its ultra-thin design and simple floor and wall-mount connections, which create maximum space efficiency. On top of that, the Terra SC - unlike some other DC fast chargers - uses the widely available 3-phase 32A input, which eliminates the need for a costly grid connection upgrade.

"The launch of the Terra SC demonstrates our commitment to deliver the optimal charging solution for every possible location in the network - both in terms of functionality and affordability. With its breakthrough price, low commissioning costs, easy installation and smart design features, the Terra SC creates a much more compelling case for installing EV fast chargers at many more locations throughout Europe - providing a strong boost to the development of electric mobility," said Hans Streng, Senior Vice President and General Manager of ABB's Product Group EV Charging Infrastructure.

Full range of connectivity features
The Terra SC is a web-connected charger that comes with a full range of connectivity features, including remote assistance, management and servicing and smart software upgradeability. Its key optional features include RFiD and PIN code authorization, a billing interface for parking operators and a web-based statistics module with data per user to support energy usage reporting. ABB's connectivity suite supports all existing and future connection standards within the same network.

The Terra SC perfectly complements ABB's existing portfolio of fast-charging solutions. ABB's highway fast chargers - the Terra 51 and multi-port Terra Base Station 100.2 - are mainly used along highway locations to offer a 15-30 minute "charge and go" service. The Terra SC is a more cost-effective solution for locations where people can easily spend a couple of hours and don't necessarily require a 15-30 minute fast charge.

Convenient charging with the Terra SC is therefore perfectly suited for company car parks, fleet operators, (off street) parking operators, rental companies, car dealerships, EV infrastructure service providers, roadside meeting places and shopping malls. ABB will release a standard version with a 20 kW DC charger and a dedicated company fleet version, which also features two integrated alterating current (AC) connections for 8-hour charging, allowing three cars to be charged simultaneously.

The growing number of electric vehicles is driving a global market opportunity for charging solutions including sophisticated monitoring systems and software to support the electric grid. ABB estimates that the market for charging infrastructure solutions will be worth $1 billion by 2017. Since launching Europe's first commercially operated fast-charging station in the Netherlands in May 2010, ABB has delivered and installed many DC charging stations and networks throughout the region. In January, ABB won a tender offer to build a network of 200 fast chargers throughout Estonia, creating the world's first DC charging infrastructure with full nationwide coverage.

ABB invites everyone to come and see the Terra SC for the first time at Intertraffic Amsterdam (March 27-30, Stands : 09.C602, EL.31 & 02.102, Amsterdam RAI) and eCarTec Paris (April 3-5, Hall 5.1, Stand 502, Porte de Versailles, Paris). For more information about the Terra SC and its key optional features, please check the product leaflet at: http://www.abb.com/evcharging

ABB (http://www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.

For pictures, go to  http://www.perssupport.nl/apssite/persberichten/full/2012/03/27/ABB+Pictures