ABB, the power and automation technology group, and RWE, the European utility company, have agreed to work in close collaboration to investigate a combined technology offering for networked charging infrastructure for electric vehicles., Both companies, represented by their 100 percent subsidiaries ABB B.V., Rotterdam, and Dortmund-based RWE Effizienz GmbH, signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

“In this strategic partnership we combine ABB’s long competence in electronics and component manufacturing and its international sales network with RWE’s grid competence of more than one hundred years and e-mobility know-how. Our skills complement one another perfectly,” states Ulrich Spiesshofer, head of ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion division.

Both companies together can offer fast-charging technologies for electric vehicles, since ABB has direct current (DC) charging capabilities and RWE already provides alternating current (AC) charging infrastructure and IT-solutions for customer data management and billing to their commercial and private e-mobility customers. RWE uses its grid and system competence to offer charging products, which provide grid-friendly charging with load-management for easy integration into future smart grids. “E-mobility is part of a fundamental change in city logistic concepts, particularly for metropolitan areas. Teaming up with technology and automation expert ABB enables us to address this in a holistic way,” says Arndt Neuhaus, Chief Executive Officer of RWE Deutschland AG.

The partners have a proven track record in the e-mobility business: ABB has already built 150 DC chargers and RWE is operating a European network of more than 1,500 smart AC charging points in 16 countries as well as serving as supplier to Renault and the City of Amsterdam. Both companies, with good market positions in many European countries, will initially extend their sales activities across the European market. Focused lighthouse projects in the Asia-Pacific region will soon follow.