ABB To Charge Qatar’s Largest Electric Bus Infrastructure Project

ABB has won a contract to design, supply, test and commission a new high-power charging infrastructure for one of the world’s largest fleet of electric buses.

The project will see ABB provide high power charging infrastructure for the fleet, which is expected to have 1,000 electric buses operating across the country and with a capacity to transport 50,000 passengers a day.

Qatar aims to have 25 percent of its public bus network operating on electric by 2022, rising to 100 percent by 2030. As part of this plan, the state will create one of the largest e-bus networks in the world, in a single installation.

Partnering with Mannai Trading Company, Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ and fleet operator, Mowasalat, ABB will design and deploy Heavy Vehicle Charging equipment across multiple locations in Qatar, including four bus depots, eight bus stations and 12 metro stations. The project scope also includes a three-year service level agreement.

Frank Muehlon, President of ABB’s E-mobility division said: "As part of ABB’s 2030 sustainability strategy, we are focused on helping fleets to unlock the potential of e-mobility with state of the art and intelligent charging solutions. As the world moves towards green bus fleets, our solutions are at the leading edge to help cities and regions around the world discover the value of electrification and how it can help us all transition to cleaner and greener transport solutions.”

For the project, ABB will supply over 125 MW of charging capacity, 1,300 connectors for destination charging and 89 opportunity chargers, four of which will be mobile. With this charging solution, the complete Mowasalat electric bus fleet can be charged overnight at the depots and while in use without impacting regular operations, ensuring a fast and convenient charging experience for operators and passengers.

ABB will also provide the data connection and interfaces to connect and integrate the charging infrastructure operation into the Mowasalat Fleet Management System for 24/7 fleet optimization. Besides integration with the Fleet Management System, chargers will also be connected to the ABB Ability™ cloud to remotely monitor and diagnose the infrastructure by using more than 400 parameters. This complete solution maximizes uptime and efficiency and ensures reliable infrastructure for the public.

HE Dr. Eng. Saad Ahmed Ibrahim Al Mohannadi, the President of the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’, said: "Qatar has taken impactful steps to combat climate change and promote sustainability. This includes a variety of local programs and initiatives, including the introduction of green public transport solutions. In Qatar, we have set ambitious goals to reduce CO2 emissions and make a valuable global contribution to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The installation of e-mobility infrastructure in Qatar supports these global efforts. ABB was selected as a partner because it shares our vision for a greener future and has the expertise to support Qatar's environmental and public transport targets. We look forward to the collaboration."

ABB is a world leader in electric vehicle infrastructure, offering the full range of charging and electrification solutions for electric cars, electric and hybrid buses, and ships and railways. ABB entered the e-mobility market back in 2010, and today has sold more than 400,000 electric vehicle chargers across more than 85 markets; over 20,000 DC fast chargers and 380,000 AC chargers, including those sold through Chargedot.

ABB high-power chargers have already been deployed in e-bus depots and cities around the world. They have been used to power Germany’s first electric bus fleet from Hamburger Hochbahn AG and more recently for a pilot at the San Donato depot of the Milan public Transport service company, ATM.