Siemens reveals megawatt charging system prototype
Developers from Mercedes-Benz Trucks recently charged a prototype of the eActros 600 at its development and test centre in Wörth am Rhein, Germany. This was the first time an eActros had been charged with an output of one megawatt. However, this has not been officially confirmed. When asked by electrive, a company spokesperson only stated that the batteries should charge from 20 to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes later in series production. And that no further details can be given at present “for competitive reasons.”
The Sicharge MCS consists of several Sicharge UC150 control cabinets, a switching matrix and a special MCS dispenser. The central element in the MCS is the switching matrix that bundles the output power of the charging stations and directs the power to the MCS dispenser, depending on the requirement.
With a charging station with an output of around one megawatt, batteries commonly used in electric trucks may be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes.
Markus Mildner, CEO of eMobility, Siemens Smart Infrastructure, said: “Especially in long-distance transport, electric trucks and coaches will need fast MCS during the legally prescribed driving time break.” Mildner went on to say that to ensure the nationwide distribution of MCS charging, various requirements must be met, including on the governmental side. “However, the successful test brings us a big step forward on the technology side and underlines our ambition to actively make transport more sustainable,” he added.
MCS systems are being planned for deployment across European trucking routes. Just a few days ago, Milence, the electric truck charging joint venture between Daimler Truck, the Traton Group and the Volvo Group, opened its first site in France. Although the truck charging station in Heudebouville in Normandy is not yet equipped with MCS, the company will add further charging bays with Megawatt Charging System (MCS) technology in a second expansion phase, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The race is on to get Europe’s trucking routes equipped with megawatt charging, as time in the charging bay is time spent off the road. Earlier this month, the Finnish charging hardware manufacturer Kempower announced that it is now accepting orders for its megawatt charging system.
Siemens has made strong moves in the charging sector with investments, acquisitions, training and partnerships. The European Commission has put emissions controls on the heavily polluting trucking sector whereby manufacturers must reduce the average emissions of trucks weighing over 7.5 tonnes and coaches by 45% from 2030, by 65% from 2035 and by 90% from 2040. From 2035, the targets will also apply to vehicles such as refuse collection and construction vehicles. The market for MSC charging is a sure thing.
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