ABB has secured a contract from electricity supplier EnBW for the expansion of the charging column network on German motorways for electric and hybrid vehicles. 

Under the contract, ABB will deliver an additional 117 rapid-charging columns at Tank & Rast service stations,  

ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer said: "This latest major order demonstrates that ABB is also the preferred partner in the charging infrastructure sector for electric and hybrid vehicles in Germany."

The new charging columns will be connected to the internet through the Cloud, enabling cashless payments. 

"The new charging columns will be connected to the internet through the Cloud, enabling cashless payments."

Last year, EnBw placed an order with ABB for 68 rapid-charging stations with a high-charging capacity of 50kW.

ABB noted that the new compact fast-charging stations can be easily installed at highway rest stops, service stations, car dealerships, business locations and highly frequented inner-city areas, with vehicles able to be recharged within 30 minutes. 

Spiesshofer added: "The need to rapidly expand the charging infrastructure network has once again been shown during this year’s International Motor Show in Frankfurt, where nearly all automotive companies have announced a massive expansion of their electric vehicle ranges."