BATTERY AND ELECTRIC MACHINES
industry deliver better performance through lower emissions and improved operator safety .”
The company is also in the process of deploying a 1,000 V AC charger across the battery-electric vehicle industry after successful tests at Tritton with the TRITEV .
Vehicle-agnostic solutions
Speaking of chargers , a new prototype ultra-fast charging platform for heavy-duty applications featuring the ABB Ability™ eMine FastCharge charger and MEDATech ALTDRIVE battery-electric powertrain solution is providing an automated charging solution for a recently converted Western Star 4900XD-e machine in a trial application .
ABB developed the integrated charging infrastructure – with the latest charger technology and a future-proof automated connection device – and MEDATech created a battery-electric powertrain that includes a charge-reception system that , it says , can be integrated into any heavy-duty vehicle .
Together with MEDATech ’ s complete ALTDRIVE battery-electric vehicle system , ABB ’ s ultra-fast charging forms a complete electric vehicle package that helps OEMs move away from diesel , according to MEDATech . Integrating ALTDRIVE into new vehicle builds , meanwhile , will enable OEMs to fast-track their battery-electric offerings , complete with ultra-fast charging .
Offering up to 600 kW of power , the eMine
FastCharge solution was launched by ABB in September as part of its ABB Ability eMine portfolio of solutions .
Charging occurs in this automated setup with no help from machine operators . Drivers station their vehicles next to the charger and the eMine FastCharge system senses a vehicle is near , moves the connection pin into position and inserts it into the receptacle , carrying out automated charging . With ABB ’ s charging capability matching charging cycles to the production , charging times of less than 15 minutes can reportedly be achieved .
ABB and MEDATech have previously worked together on the conversion of the diesel-powered Western Star 4900 truck to battery-electric operation , but this is the first time the two have tested the automated charging functionality of the eMine FastCharge solution on ALTDRIVE technology .
Another vehicle-agnostic charging system is also on the horizon , with Hitachi Energy recently telling IM that it was working on such a system to charge large open-pit haul trucks .
Matt Zafuto , VP , Industry Solutions , Hitachi
ABB and MEDATech ’ s automated charging platform was recently tested on a batteryelectric Western Star 4900XD-e machine in a trial application
Energy , said : “ The company is working on an interoperable solution that can safely deliver electricity to large battery-electric off-road haul trucks in a way that maintains or improves current productivity levels .”
This end-to-end solution leverages Hitachi Energy ’ s power systems capabilities , advanced digital technologies and proven track record of innovation in sustainable mobility , he added , with the solution including hardware to safely charge and service the vehicles , systems for safe electrification of the environment , and services and expertise for collaborative industry partnerships .
IM