Highlights:

  • AWS and ABB will be collaborating on developing a cloud-based digital solution for the real-time fleet management of electric vehicles (EVs).
  • The plan will roll out in the second half of 2021.

AWS and ABB – new friends in town

Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon Web Services, AWS) company and an eMobility (electric mobility) leader, ABB, recently revealed the news about their collaboration on developing a cloud-based digital solution for the real-time fleet management of electric vehicles (EVs).

This development will help boost electric vehicle use and enhance transport fleets’ electrification worldwide, assisting operators to maintain 100% business continuity as they wish to go fully electric.

Collaboration will combine

The collaboration will combine ABB’s experience in charging technology, electric mobility solutions, energy management, and AWS to contribute knowledge of enhanced cloud technologies and software expertise.

As per resources, the plan will roll out in the second half of 2021 to offer a customized user experience in a single-view platform. Both companies have dedicated their hard work to make EV fleet management more efficient and maximize reliability.

Primary aim behind the collaboration

About 23% of global, energy-related greenhouse gas emissions are mainly caused by the transport sector. Therefore, both companies are trying to boost electrification in the transport sector. This will help reduce CO2 levels in the environment. Also, large fleets could play an important role for about 400,000 electric delivery trucks and vans on the roads worldwide. However, many fleets are encountered with comparable challenges when it comes to –

  • Real-time vehicle and charging status information
  • Maintenance of EVs
  • Managing access to charging infrastructure

At present, most fleet operators opt for third-party charging management software. Third-party software does not offer complete functions and customization options for EV models and breadth of charging infrastructure.

Additionally, there is a rise in the adoption of charging technology. Still, fleet operators are looking for a secure, scalable, and readily available customization option for advanced software solutions that allow users to plug and go quickly.

An eMobility leader (ABB) has developed a pureplay venture in Berlin to boost EV fleets’ progress. Also, it will create customized, scalable, and cost-efficient technologies for fleet operators that could be used by all vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

In collaboration with AWS, ABB will design an interoperable fleet management solution compatible with all vehicle types and charging stations. Companies will incorporate machine learning (ML) technology and analytics along with the set of features including:

  • Charge planning and real-time monitoring with actions and insights for vehicles’ health and servicing
  • EV route optimization basis time of day, weather, and use patterns

Experts’ take

Frank Muehlon, Head of ABB’s Global E-Mobility Infrastructure Solutions, commented: “ABB and AWS share a similar vision around the potential of eMobility to transform society. Our combined expertise supports the common goal of making EV fleet management simpler and more accessible. This new solution will revolutionize the world of electric mobility, integrating EV hardware and software into one ecosystem to provide a seamless user experience. We are confident that by working together, we can propel the use of electric fleet vehicles by giving operators the confidence to make the switch.”

Jon Allen, Director of Professional Services at Amazon Web Services (AWS), commented: “As industries forge ahead with electrification of their vehicle fleets, customers need reliable and intuitive services to help them adapt to the new operating model and optimize how they utilize their fleets. This collaboration between AWS and ABB will combine our companies’ deep expertise in the automotive, logistics, and electrification spaces with leadership in the cloud to deliver a hardware-agnostic, intelligent electric fleet management solution.”

He further added, “Together, ABB and AWS will bring the insights, agility, and scale the cloud provides to the electric vehicle industry and help our customers successfully transition to a lower-emission future.”