ABB delivers Bulgaria’s nationwide fast charging network
Bulgaria’s largest electric vehicle provider partners with ABB for single largest extension to country’s charging infrastructure.
Fast-charging stations from ABB can now be found on key roads across Bulgaria with plans underway to further extend the network to include all major roads and highways by the end of Q1 2018.
Working in close collaboration with the Terra53 integration partner and customer, eMobility International, ABB’s Terra53 fast chargers now cover the international routes from Sofia to the Greek border, with installations in key locations including Sofia, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Blagoevgrad, Sandanski, Rakovski, Stara Zagora, Liubumetz and Bourgas.
eMobility International is developing and managing an infrastructure of fast charging stations, operating under the brand Eldrive. It is supporting users in their understanding of electric mobility and enabling them to easily navigate to the nearest charging station or e-car rental station.
“We chose ABB to build our fast-charging network across Bulgaria because they’re highly reliable and offer remote support, which is crucial for our business,” said Stefan Spassov, CEO of eMobility International.
The most popular installation, Terra 53 CJG, offers compatibility with all-electric vehicles on the Bulgarian market, using the CHAdeMO, CCS and Type 2 AC standards and provides charging cycles between 15-60 minutes, depending on the capacity of the separate car battery.
“ABB plays a vital role in the development of sustainable mobility by providing innovative and efficient technologies for EV charging infrastructure. Various projects across the world show that ABB is a global player in fast-charging technologies and is taking the lead in the creation of a nationwide charging network in Bulgaria,” said Frank Muehlon, Head of ABB’s global business for EV Charging Infrastructure.
The Terra 53 multi-standard DC charging station is a configurable single, dual or triple outlet 50 kW fast charging station, operational in hard weather conditions from – 35 degrees to + 55 Celsius. Part of the ABB AbilityTM portfolio of connected solutions, remote condition monitoring and remote troubleshooting are also important advantages of ABB chargers. By connecting chargers, service solutions and people, ABB is able to diagnose more than 90 percent of the service cases remotely, solving over 60 percent of these cases without any site intervention in the past two years. This results in significant savings on downtime, traveling, transportation, man-hours, and resources. The Terra 53 is ideal for use at highway rest stops, petrol stations, car dealerships and busy urban areas, such as public parking lots.
eMobility International operates across south-eastern Europe under the brands Eldive and Spark. The company creates, maintains and operates an infrastructure of charging stations in the region. It also offers flexible renting options for electric vehicles and e-car sharing service called Spark. The company is the single largest EV owner in Bulgaria with EV fleet of over 110 vehicles and aims to build approximately 500 points for EV charging in Bulgaria and the region, focusing on the fast-charging infrastructure.
ABB has over 2,500 employees in Bulgaria and operates with a head office in Sofia and four branches across the country. Two of the manufacturing units are located in Rakovski and produce low and medium voltage electrical components. The other two factories are located in Petrich, for Low Voltage Products, and in Sevlievo for High Voltage Products. ABB also has a Turbocharger Service Station in Varna.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing more than a 125-year history of innovation, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 136,000 employees.
Source: ABB
