This new charging technology offers significantly faster charging times compared to current options. The demonstration showed an electric truck’s battery going from 10% to 80% charge in around 30 minutes, extending its range by an estimated 300 to 400 kilometres during a mandated driving break.
The two companies have demonstrated at MAN’s development centre in Munich that MCS charging already works on Thursday. One of the first-megawatt charging points in Germany was installed there by ABB E-mobility.
“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,” said Michael Halbherr, CEO of ABB E-mobility.
Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus, reiterated his call for more speed in the expansion of the charging infrastructure during the premiere of megawatt charging:
“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 new MCS megawatt charging standard is technically designed for charging capacities up to 3.75 MW at 3,000 amperes (A). Yesterday, ABB E-mobility and MAN have demonstrated more than 700 kW of charging power with prototype charging technology.
When the MCS standard is finalised (expected this year), charging capacities of over one megawatt will be possible. This will lead to a significant improvement in charging times, the companies say.
For comparison, today’s CCS (Combined Charging System) charging stations can be used by cars and commercial vehicles and offer a maximum charging capacity of 400 kW at 500 A.
“The fact is that MCS charging requires a lot of energy,” the companies admit. With so much electricity flowing, the infrastructure behind the visible charging points, the grid connections and the space requirements, e.g. at motorway service stations, car parks or truck stops, play a key role.
“Grid expansion and the digitalisation of the grids are not only essential for the future supply of renewable energy, but also a prerequisite for the charging infrastructure,” MAN and ABB stressed.