Page 20 - EngineerIT November 2021

ELECTRONICS

New technology to drive that the current charging network is still very
small, and that it is going to take a long time
before there is a widespread distribution of
charging points. However, the larger issue is
e-mobility's future that a charging network is only as good as
its power supply. More specifically, a large
network of frequently used charge points
needs a reliable industrial-strength power
By Yuri Ramsamy, product marketing specialist, ABB South Africa
supply. Old Mutual notes: “Much would need
to be done to ensure that the national grid
has the capacity to cope with the petrol-to-
ransportation is a major contributor to 2019 to assist in developing a roadmap for electric switch, and energy producers and
CO 2 emissions globally, accounting for local EV production. The various workstreams government need to anticipate and prepare
Tabout 24% of total emissions coming of the automotive industry’s master plan for higher energy demands.”
from this important sector. Of this figure, were launched shortly thereafter, including Therefore, it is readily apparent
more than 75% is from road transportation a focus on technology changes and deeper that the e-mobility market segment
in the form of cars, trucks and motorbikes. localisation. The draft Green Paper aims requires integrated charger and electrical
Surprisingly, the aviation sector only accounts to develop a framework upon which a infrastructure architectures that can be
for 11% of emissions here, while passenger comprehensive and long-term automotive rapidly deployed. Here ABB leads the
cars account for 60% of road transportation industry transformation plan on new energy way to a zero-emission mobility future.
emissions globally. Electric mobility vehicles (NEV) can emerge, with a specific With its mission and purpose to power
(e-mobility), paired with renewable energy focus on the creation of a high-yielding e-mobility going forward, ABB engineers the
generation, stands to play a major role in business environment. This includes an electrification solutions for the transport
significantly lowering global CO 2 emissions in appropriate fiscal and regulatory framework of tomorrow, today. It ranges from smart
the transportation sector. This will not only that will make South Africa a leading, highly transportation solutions from EV chargers
help us achieve our global targets, but have a competitive location for EV production, not for the home and electrified fleet depots
positive impact on the environment and our only in Africa but globally. and opportunity charging for electric bus
quality of life due to reduced pollution and Another focus is the development and and trucks, to high-power chargers for the
noise. investment in new energy vehicle (NEV) highway stations of the future.
After a decade of rapid growth, global component technology and expansion of the ABB’s modular building block approach
electric vehicle (EV) stock hit the ten million fledgling electric supply chain; reinvestment with integrated communication allows
mark in 2020, reports the International and support towards reskilling and upskilling for scalable, repeatable designs for fast
Energy Agency (IEA), which represents an of the workforce to ensure the right skills implementation in the rapidly developing
astonishing 43% increase over 2019. China are available for the design, engineering EV market globally. One particular
has the largest fleet with 4,5 million electric and manufacturing of EVs and related scalable solution to build depot charging
cars, with Europe recording the largest components and systems; the transition infrastructure, for example, is our eFleet
annual increase last year of 3,2 million. of South Africa towards cleaner fuel depot solution. Here the combination
Globally, governments spent US$14 billion technologies available globally; and adoption of modular blocks provides the solution
on direct purchase incentives and tax of new and sustainable manufacturing architecture that meets the demand of
deductions for electric cars in 2020, a year- processes to significantly reduce modern eBus depots. On the other hand, the
on-year increase of 25%. greenhouse gas emissions and improve our roadside relocatable EcoFlex with integrated
Not to be outdone with accelerating environmental wealth. high-power chargers, is ideal for highway
developments in the EV market worldwide, In a research note on the current EV and public commercial parking. It allows for
the Department of Trade, Industry and market in South Africa, Old Mutual notes up to two 350 kW chargers in a relocatable
Competition published a Green Paper
entitled ‘The South African road to
production of electric vehicles’ on 18 May
2021. It aims to establish a clear policy
foundation to coordinate a long-term
strategy, to position South Africa at the
forefront of advanced vehicle and vehicle
component manufacturing, complemented
by a consumption leg. It will likely boost
our competitiveness in the global race to
transition from the internal combustion
engine era into e-mobility solutions and
technologies.
This follows the Minister of Trade,
Industry and Competition challenging major
South African automotive manufacturers in

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