Germany is one of the world’s most advanced countries in sustainable mobility technologies, with a large number of electric vehicles on the road.
The country aims to put 15 million electrified cars on the road by 2030, including fully electric and hybrids, according to the Ministry of Transport.
However, there are still several challenges that its capital, Berlin, must take on to combat traffic congestion and pollution.
From the citizen’s point of view, residents of the metropolis have put forward the “People’s Choice for Car-Free Berlin” initiative, aimed to limit cars within the city’s ringbahn, the large circular route around the city center.
Meanwhile, from the private sector, leading companies in mobility technology solutions are working in alliance with the authorities to offer a quality and environmentally friendly transportation service.
One such company is Hitachi Energy, which won an order from Berliner Verkehrsbe-triebe (BVG), Germany’s largest municipal public transport company, to supply its Grid-eMotion™ Fleet smart charging infrastructure to assist the transition to sustainable mobility in Berlin.
The organization will provide a complete Grid-eMotion Fleet grid-to-plug charging infrastructure solution for the next two bus depots to be electrified.
Three Important Features
Hitachi was selected by BVG due to the benefits and quality of its platform offering the smallest footprint for connection, as well as low noise emissions and high reliability, key aspects for bus depots in a densely populated urban environment, where space is limited and flawless charging is vital to ensure fleets run on time.
The solution comprises a grid connection, power supply and DC charging infrastructure with smart points and systems.
Hitachi will engineer, integrate, install and service the entire platform, which features a compact design, resulting in a minimal footprint, reduced operating and maintenance costs and increased reliability. Notably, Grid-eMotion Fleet requires 60% less space and 40% less cabling than alternative charging systems.
Grid-eMotion comprises two unique and innovative solutions: Fleet and Flash. It is a grid-to-plug charging platform that complies with grid code and saves space.
It includes a robust and compact grid connection and charging points, and is also available for commercial vehicle fleets, including heavy-duty and last-mile delivery trucks that require high-power, multi-megawatt charging.
