ABB, the power and automation technology group, launched the Terra Smart Connect (SC) in the UK, a breakthrough product that will significantly improve the business case for installing electric vehicle (EV) rapid chargers throughout Europe. The Terra SC will be available for delivery in the UK in the second quarter, starting at the breakthrough price of £8,989 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 renowned. 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. In addition, the Terra SC, unlike some other DC fast chargers – uses the widely available 3-phase 32A input, which eliminates the need for a costly upgrading grid connection.
“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.
“We are very excited about the markets the Terra SC will benefit in the UK and Ireland – We already have a large amount of interest and expect to be installing chargers this quarter,” said Martin Hale, Head of Marketing and Sales 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 rapid-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. ABB’s Terra 51s were recently installed across Northern Ireland as part of a cross boarder EV charging infrastructure. Also in The Netherlands, Germany, Estonia, Scandinavia, Austria and Turkey.
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 alternating 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 in the UK at EV Fleet Show, Silverstone (April 18th, Hall 2, Stand C).