ABB Investment in EV Charger Manufacturing Will Help Drive US Adoption

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act both make transformational investments in the electrification of America’s transportation system, including personal vehicles, school buses, transit buses, commercial fleets and the building of a national network of public chargers. 

These investments are key to achieving the vehicle electrification targets set by federal, state and local governments along with vehicle manufacturers. Achieving these targets will create jobs, deliver cost savings to American drivers and businesses, lower emissions on the road, and improve public health.

In support of the growing American e-mobility economy, ABB has announced multi-million-dollar investment plans to expand EV charger manufacturing operations in Columbia, South Carolina. The expansion will create more than 100 jobs and increase production by up to 10,000 chargers per year. These chargers will include Buy America Act compliant units, ranging from 20 kW to 180 kW in power, which are ideally suited for public charging, school buses and fleets.

Manufacture of Reliable EV Charger Hardware is Critical to Widespread Adoption

“The need for EV charging infrastructure investment in the US has never been greater, as 18 million EVs are expected to be on the US roads by 20301. Expanding our US manufacturing operations will allow us to better serve our customers and help advance the adoption of EVs from private vehicles to transit buses and fleets,” said Bob Stojanovic, Senior Vice President for ABB E-mobility in North America.

“Our facility in South Carolina is another example of how we are driving the American e-mobility economy forward with safe and reliable EV charging solutions that meet the needs of every part of a sustainable transportation ecosystem.”

Collaboration in Action

ABB’s new South Carolina operations aim to facilitate further collaborations with customers and partners. Examples of these partnerships include the one between Metro Transit and ABB that resulted in the largest deployment of chargers in the US for a new electric bus fleet in St. Louis, Missouri, and the collaboration between ABB and TriMet that provided charging for wind powered New Flyer buses in Portland, Oregon.

Another transportation segment that requires collaboration is electrifying freight transportation and trucks. ABB is leading that transition in two ways. First, by being one of the first to launch the megawatt charging system (MCS) in collaboration with CharIN and industry stakeholders, and second, by partnering with truck manufacturers to provide charging solutions, like with PACCAR Parts, in support of its Kenworth and Peterbilt vehicles sold in North America.

To fuel these transformative collaborations, ABB has invested $14 billion in the US since 2010, with plant expansions, operational improvements, state-of-the-art equipment, products, and people, making it the company’s largest market. With approximately 20,000 employees in more than 40 manufacturing and distribution facilities, ABB is investing, growing, and serving across America through industries that create jobs, encourage innovation, and achieve a more productive, sustainable future.

When innovation and collaboration come together, progress really happens. We call this the Power of Together. To read more inspiring collaborations, visit the Power of Together Website, where you can also get in touch to begin your own journey towards energy efficiency. To discover more about the new manufacturing facility in South Carolina, click here.

Electrifying the world in a safe, smart and sustainable way, ABB Electrification is a global technology leader in electrical distribution and management from source to socket. As the world’s demand for electricity grows, our 50,000+ employees across 100 countries collaborate with customers and partners to transform how people connect, live and work. We develop innovative products, solutions and digital technologies that enable energy efficiency and a low carbon society across all sectors. By applying global scale with local expertise, we shape and support global trends, deliver excellence for customers and power a sustainable future for society. go.abb/electrification

This article is supported by ABB.