The world’s largest nationwide network of EV fast-chargers* is planned for the Netherlands, and ABB has just won the contract. The task for ABB is to put a fast-charging station within 50 kilometers (31 miles) of all 16.7 million inhabitants of the Netherlands. In total, that will come to about 200 EV fast-charging stations.
Here’s more info from ABB:
Each of the more than 200 Fastned stations along Dutch highways will be equipped with several multi-standards fast chargers, such as the 50 kilowatt (kW) Terra 52 and Terra 53 models, capable of charging electric vehicles in 15-30 minutes. The first ABB Terra fast chargers are due to be delivered in September 2013. Construction of the Fastned stations, which will have solar canopies, is expected to be completed by 2015.
To date, the Netherlands is the most populous country to roll out a nationwide fast-charging network. Fast-chargers will be located a maximum of 50 kilometers apart along all highways, and because of ABB’s multi-standard design, the network will be capable of serving EVs offered by all major car brands from Europe, Asia and the USA. ABB’s open standards-based cloud connectivity solution allows Fastned to create a user-friendly payment and access service for all drivers.
Sounds pretty good. For more details, check out the ABB news release.
*Note that the world’s first nationwide fast-charging network is supposed to roll out in Estonia.