Norway is surging ahead in the electrification game again. And yes, you guessed it, the country now has the world’s fastest EV charger. Well, so far.
On Tuesday, ABB announced the installation of its Terra 360 charger in the country’s second largest city, Bergen, and in Geilo, a ski resort.
How fast is the Terra 360 really?
ABB introduced the charger in September, promising a 360kW maximum output — hence the name. According to the company, this kind of power enables EVs to fully charge in less than 15 minutes, and get a 100km-range boost in less than three.
That’s pretty impressive, considering that the mainstream 50kW rapid charger enbles a full charge in about an hour, or that Tesla’s current Superchargers deliver a maximum 250kW output (approximately 321km of juice in 15 minutes).
Nevertheless, ABB is facing some serious competition, with numerous providers, such as Ionity, offering 350kW ultra-fast chargers.
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
There’s also a catch. Electric cars on the road wouldn’t be able to take full advantage of the 360kW power, as their batteries’ charging capacity is well below that limit. This means they can only charge at the fastest rate their batteries can safely handle.
That’s why the Terra 360 is being introduced as a “future-proof” solution. With the advancement of EV battery technology, ulltra-fast chargers like it could actually play a pivotal role in lessening range anxiety and boosting the appeal of electric cars.
Plus, ABB has an ace up its sleeve in the meantime.
The Terra 360 can simultaneously charge two vehicles with dynamic power distribution — for example, one at 250kW and the other at 110kW. There’s also the option to use the charger with two additional charging outputs (one DC and one AC), enabling users juice up four EVs at the same time.
Why is Norway getting the Terra 360 first?
Norway has been evolving as an EV forerunner in the past few years. Hell, it’s the first nation to ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles as early as 2025.
The Scandinavian country has the most electric cars per capita in the world, with EVs accounting for 65% of the total car sales in 2021. That’s both due to the appealing incentives it offers and the well-developed supporting infrastructure — for instance, the government has already established fast-charging stations every 50km on all main roads.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that companies within the electric vehicle industry are using the country as a test zone.
ABB expects a more widespread roll out of its charger across Norway and Sweden, seeking to prove that its technology can perform under extreme weather conditions.
You can find out more about Terras 360’s specs in the video below:
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.