ABB acquires Epyon to expand offerings in EV charging infrastructure
ABB, the power and automation technology group, has acquired Epyon B.V., a provider of electric vehicle charging infrastructure solutions focusing on direct current (DC) fast-charging stations and network charger software. ABB says the acquisition is in line with its strategy to expand its global offering of electric vehicle infrastructure solutions.
Founded in 2005, Epyon is headquartered in Rijswijk, Netherlands, has an R&D center in Eindhoven and sales resources across Europe. Both parties agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction. Epyon’s 50 staff worldwide will join ABB when the acquisition is completed.
EV charging station unit sales are expected to multiply rapidly over the next five years, and reach 1.6 million units globally by 2015, according to Pike Research.
Epyon’s DC fast-charging stations have been in commercial use since May 2010, and reduce charging time to 15 minutes compared to 6-8 hours using a standard alternating current (AC) charger outlet.
Epyon’s equipment and software also enables the charging station owner to monitor conditions and requirements of the station, linking billing and administrative needs. It provides a range of different charging methods for each of the station connections, enabling it to tailor charging to various start conditions, power requirements and charging times.
This strategic purchase follows and is line with ABB’s investment last year in ECOtality, a clean electric transportation and storage technologies company, which enabled ABB to enter North America’s electric vehicle charging market.
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