ABB and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have struck a deal to develop a cloud-based digital solution for the real-time fleet management of electric vehicles (EVs).

The solution aims to optimise the efficient use of EVs and speed up the electrification of fleets, helping operators worldwide maintain 100% business continuity as they transition to fully electric.

The collaboration combines ABB’s experience in energy management, charging technology and e-mobility solutions with AWS’s portfolio of cloud technologies and software expertise.  

The new platform, which is planned for roll out in the second half of 2021, will offer a tailored user experience in a single-view platform. From the EV charge point to the fleet data dashboard, it will make EV fleet management more efficient and maximise reliability, says ABB.

Frank Muehlon, president of ABB’s e-mobility division, said: “Our combined expertise supports the common goal of making EV fleet management simpler and more accessible.

“This new solution will revolutionise 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.”

ABB says that the speed at which charging technology continues to develop is increasing, and the resulting adaptations needed can be costly and take a lot of resources. As such, fleet operators are looking for scalable, secure and easily tailored advanced software solutions, combined with easy to manage charging hardware, that enable them to plug and go. 

To drive progress in EV fleets, ABB has created a business in Berlin that will develop tailored, scalable and cost-effective technologies for fleet operators which can be used by all vehicle OEMs.

Working with AWS, this new venture will design the interoperable fleet management solution to work with all vehicle types and charging infrastructure.

Using machine learning and analytics, it will include a set of features including, charge planning and real-time monitoring with insight and actions for vehicle health and servicing, along with EV route optimisation based on time of day, weather and use patterns.  

“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 optimise how they utilise their fleets,” said Jon Allen, director of professional services for automotive at AWS.   

“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.

“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.”