QATAR
ABB has won a contract to design, supply, test and commission a new high-power charging infrastructure for one of the world’s largest fleet of electric buses. The project will see the company provide high power charging infrastructure for Qatar, which expects to have 25% of its public bus network operating on electricity by 2022, rising to 100% by 2030. As part of this plan, the state will create one of the largest e-bus networks in the world, in a single installation.
Partnering with Mannai Trading Company, the state’s public works authority Ashghal and fleet operator Mowasalat, ABB will design and deploy heavy vehicle charging equipment across multiple locations in the country, including four bus depots, eight bus stations and 12 metro stations. The project scope also includes a three-year service level agreement.
Frank Muehlon, President of ABB’s e-mobility division said: “As part of ABB’s 2030 sustainability strategy, we are focused on helping fleets to unlock the potential of e-mobility with state-of-the-art and intelligent charging solutions. As the world moves towards green bus fleets, our solutions are at the leading edge to help cities and regions around the world discover the value of electrification and how it can help us all transition to cleaner and greener transport solutions.”
For the project, ABB will supply over 125MW of charging capacity, 1,300 connectors for destination charging and 89 opportunity chargers, four of which will be mobile. This will allow the complete Mowasalat electric bus fleet to be charged overnight at the depots and while in use.
ABB will also provide the data connection and interfaces to connect and integrate the charging infrastructure operation into the Mowasalat fleet management system for 24/7 fleet optimisation, and chargers will also be connected to the ABB Ability cloud to remotely monitor and diagnose the infrastructure using more than 400 parameters.
Dr Saad Ahmed Ibrahim Al Mohannadi, President of Ashghal, said: “Qatar has taken impactful steps to combat climate change and promote sustainability. This includes a variety of local programs and initiatives, including the introduction of green public transport solutions. In Qatar, we have set ambitious goals to reduce CO₂ emissions and make a valuable global contribution to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The installation of e-mobility infrastructure in Qatar supports these global efforts. ABB was selected as a partner because it shares our vision for a greener future and has the expertise to support Qatar’s environmental and public transport targets. We look forward to the collaboration.”
ABB high-power chargers have already been deployed in e-bus depots and cities, including Germany’s first electric bus fleet belonging to Hamburger Hochbahn and more recently for a pilot at Milan’s San Donato depot.
