Microsoft Azure to help ABB manage next-gen electric car charging stations

All of Tesla’s hype aside, electric vehicles (EV) are still a nascent market. Before it can grow, the world needs more EV charging stations. ABB is a leader in the production of EV charging platform technology, and they’re partnering with Microsoft to apply the Azure cloud platform to build out the next generation of charging services.
So far, estimates put the number of EV sold at just over a million, a number that’s doubled in the last 14 months. While that pales compared to the many millions of gasoline vehicles sold each year, the growth rate is significant and all major automobile manufacturers are jumping into the game. While EV charging services are only estimated at $126 million for 2015, they’re predicted to grow to almost $3 billion by 2023.
Of course, technology will be utilized to build out and manage the charging platforms necessary to meet this tremendous growth in demand. And, no technology can be more helpful in managing large, connected Internet of Things networks than cloud platforms like Microsoft’s Azure.

“Platform performance and stability are critical differentiators for the successful operation of a modern, data-dependent EV charging station. By partnering with Microsoft, ABB will be able to offer best-in-class operations as well as innovative advanced services — what we call the Internet of Things, Services and People,” said Pekka Tiitinen, president of ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion Division. “This partnership gives us the solutions, scalability and global agility to support expanding demand for EV charging infrastructure in the world’s major automotive markets, which is a key focus of our Next Level growth strategy.”

ABB and Microsoft will be launching this next-generation EV charging platform at eCarTec in Munich, Germany on October 20-22. If you’re in the area, plan to stop by and see how Microsoft’s technology will help fuel the growth of EV.