ABB and Amazon are developing real-time software for electric fleets

The Swiss electrotechnical and engineering specialist ABB and Amazon Web Services (AWS), a company of Amazon.com, Inc., plan to develop a cloud-based digital solution for real-time management of electric vehicle fleets as part of a partnership. The new solution aims to optimize the efficient use of electric vehicles, accelerate the electrification of fleets, and enable fleet operators worldwide to switch to electric mobility without disrupting business operations, according to a joint statement by the companies. By collaborating, the two companies combine ABB's experience and leadership in energy management, charging technology, and e-mobility solutions with AWS's leading portfolio of cloud technologies and software expertise, the firms argue.

The new platform is expected to be launched in the second half of 2021 and promises to offer a "customized user experience on a single-view platform." The goal is to make the management of electric vehicle fleets more efficient and reliable—from the charging station to the central user interface.

"ABB and AWS share a vision of how e-mobility can transform society," said Frank Mühlon, Head of the ABB eMobility Division.

With the expertise of the two companies, the fleet management of electric vehicles will be made easier and more accessible. Mühlon promises nothing less than a revolution in the world of e-mobility, as the solution brings hardware and software together in one ecosystem. They are convinced that they can enable operators to reliably transition their fleets.

Almost a quarter of CO2 emissions from transportation

Currently, 23 percent of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the transportation sector. Electrification of transportation could significantly reduce CO2 emissions, according to ABB. Large fleets could play a crucial role in this. They point to nearly 400,000 electric delivery vans and trucks on the roads worldwide. However, many fleet operators face the same challenges when it comes to real-time information about vehicle status and charge level, maintenance of electric vehicles, and management of access to charging infrastructure, the argument continues.

"The majority of fleet operators today opt for third-party software for charge management. However, this offers only limited functions and few possibilities for customization to the wide range of vehicle models and charging infrastructure," ABB contends.

Charging technology, however, is evolving ever faster, which may require costly and resource-intensive adjustments. What fleet operators are looking for are scalable, secure, easily customizable software solutions combined with straightforward, plug-and-go capable chargers.

Subsidiary focuses on electric fleet software

To advance the progress of electric vehicle fleets, ABB has established a venture in Berlin that will exclusively deal with developing suitable technologies for fleet operators, neutral to manufacturers and charging infrastructure. The solution is to be based on machine learning and data analysis and offer functions such as charge management and real-time monitoring, insight into vehicle condition, and planning of maintenance and service measures. Route planning will also be optimized considering time of day, weather, and usage patterns, they promise.

"The electrification of vehicle fleets is progressing rapidly in the industry. Through the cooperation of ABB and AWS, we combine profound expertise in the automotive, logistics, and electrification sectors with a leading position in the cloud market to provide a hardware-independent, intelligent solution for managing electric vehicle fleets," says Jon Allen, Director, Professional Services, Automotive, at AWS.