ABB E-mobility is continuing its expansion of its global and U.S. manufacturing footprint with new manufacturing operations in Columbia, S.C.
The multi-million-dollar investment will increase production of electric vehicle chargers, including Buy America compliant ones and create more than 100 jobs. The new facility will be capable of producing up to 10,000 chargers per year, ranging from 20kW to 180kW in power, which are ideally suited for public charging, school buses and fleets.
The operation builds on ABB E-mobility’s existing U.S. manufacturing operations which produce transit bus chargers that range from 150kW to 450kW. This expansion will increase responsiveness to U.S. market demand, create a more efficient localized supply chain and reduce delivery lead times.
“The need for investment in the U.S. e-mobility sector has never been greater, as 18 million EVs are expected to be on U.S. roads by 2030. Expanding our U.S. manufacturing operations will allow us to better serve our customers and help advance the adoption of EVs from private vehicles to public transportation and fleets," said Bob Stojanovic, vice president for ABB E-mobility in North America. “Our facility in South Carolina is another example of how we are driving the American e-mobility economy forward with high-quality and reliable EV charging solutions that meet the needs of every part of a sustainable transportation ecosystem.”
With this investment, ABB E-mobility adds to its capabilities to meet the U.S.’s goals of building up the domestic manufacturing base for EV charging. EV chargers produced in South Carolina will meet the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) proposed Buy America Act framework for EV chargers as well as requirements of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.
This manufacturing expansion is the latest in a series of U.S. focused announcements from ABB E-mobility with continued investments planned for 2024 and beyond. In addition to the South Carolina facility, ABB E-mobility announced in July 2022 the launch of a training center in Sugar Land, Texas, and an R&D facility in Southern California.
This year ABB also acquired a controlling interest in EV commercial charging infrastructure solutions company, InCharge Energy, expanding ABB’s smart and connected EV offering. In addition, ABB invested in EV charging software provider, ChargeLab.
