Introduces portable battery storage and charging system for heavy electric vehicles, including electric trucks and buses
MAN Truck & Bus Introduces Mobile Smart Charging Cube for Electric Trucks and Buses
MAN Truck & Bus, a part of the Volkswagen Group, has unveiled a new mobile fast-charging solution called the Smart Charging Cube. Developed in partnership with AW Automotive, this innovative charger is designed to provide flexible charging options for electric trucks and buses in various environments.
The Smart Charging Cube features a battery storage system with a substantial energy capacity, capable of supporting charging over 1,200 kilometers of range for electric vehicles. The system offers multiple charging points, allowing simultaneous fast charging for electric trucks and buses, and its modular design enables scalable setups depending on needs and available power sources.
The target group for the Smart Charging Cube includes operators of electric trucks and buses, particularly those who find it difficult or costly to install traditional fixed charging infrastructure. This includes depots and service yards, as well as remote or temporary locations like construction sites. The Cube's flexibility in connecting to varying power sources enhances its utility for mobile and off-grid operations.
One notable application of the Smart Charging Cube is in the Zwickau plant, where three Cubes with a total of 2 MWh store locally generated wind and solar power. MAN customers can choose between purchasing, leasing, or renting the Smart Charging Cube system.
The charging technology of the Cube comes from Alpitronic, and MAN offers battery units with a capacity between 500 and 1,100 kWh for the Smart Charging Cube. Depending on the configuration, up to four fast-charging points can be realized in the charging unit of the Smart Charging Cube. The maximum charging power of the Smart Charging Cube is 400 kW, and as a battery storage system, it can feed an external MCS charging pillar, enabling charging powers of up to 1,000 kW.
The Smart Charging Cube combines battery storage, power electronics, and charging pillar in one housing. While the origin of the batteries used in the Smart Charging Cube remains unspecified, the design and modularity align with industry trends toward flexible battery storage and fast charging for commercial EVs.
MAN Truck & Bus and AW Automotive have collaborated on this project, emphasizing cross-company collaboration in electric mobility solutions. However, it's worth noting that AW Automotive does not work exclusively with MAN, and the broader supplier or automotive company collaborations are limited.
The Smart Charging Cube is now available to MAN customers for the first time, marking a significant step forward in the company's commitment to electric mobility. The system has already been used by Audi for electric cars and Volkswagen plants for storing wind and solar power. Typical application sites for the Smart Charging Cube include vehicle depots and company yards, with mobile use also possible. The network connection of the Smart Charging Cube allows values between 32 and 630 amperes.
- The Smart Charging Cube, introduced by MAN Truck & Bus, is a mobile fast-charging solution designed for electric trucks and buses, leveraging technology to provide flexible charging options in various environments.
- This innovative charger, developed in partnership with AW Automotive, offers multiple charging points and a modular design, making it suitable for depots, service yards, construction sites, or any location where traditional charging infrastructure is difficult or costly to install.
