Global electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions provider ABB has secured a contract with Volvo Buses, Västtrafik and Göteborg Energi to deploy its 450KW Opportunity Charging (OppCharge) system to the city of Gothenburg.

OppCharge is an open interface for the automated charging system that can be used for both single and double-decker electric buses through a pantograph on the infrastructure to connect the bus to the charging point.

ABB EV Charging Infrastructure global head Frank Muehlon said: “As a global leader in EV charging solutions, we are proud to be partnering with Volvo, Västtrafik and Göteborg Energi on delivering this efficient charging solution for the city of Gothenburg.

“This project marks another positive step in an ongoing partnership between ABB and Volvo, which has seen our companies work side by side since 2014 on co-developing city-wide electric bus solutions for improved and sustainable urban mobility.”

As per the deal, ABB will be setting up two fast chargers at Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Eriksberg Square, on which two prototype electric articulated high-capacity buses from Volvo will operate.

“We are committed to providing charging solutions for Gothenburg, whether that is for EV passenger cars or for the city’s public transport network.”

The contract has been awarded to ABB after a successful two-year trial under the ElectriCity venture, during which ten all-electric or partially electrified buses have run on the city’s bus route 55.

With this order, ABB will be delivering a complete 450KW OppCharge system, enabling a quick and efficient charge of high passenger capacity electric buses in Gothenburg.

Göteborg Energi CEO Lotta Brändström said: “We are committed to providing charging solutions for Gothenburg, whether that is for EV passenger cars or for the city’s public transport network.

“The transition of the transport sector is one of our biggest challenges and we understand that this will take the combination of many different solutions.”

The two prototype buses will run on route 16 during the Volvo Ocean Race, which will take place next year in Gothenburg.