ABB Unveils 1.2 MW Modular Truck Chargers at ACT Expo 2025

ABB has unveiled its groundbreaking MCS1200 Megawatt Charging System at the 2025 ACT Expo in Anaheim, California, delivering an impressive 1.2 megawatts of continuous power for heavy-duty electric trucks. The modular charging system represents a significant advancement in commercial vehicle electrification, offering enough power to fully charge electric semi-trucks during standard driver rest breaks and potentially revolutionizing long-haul freight transportation.

Key Takeaways

The MCS1200 delivers 1,200 kW and 1,500 amps of continuous charging power, enabling full charging during driver breaks
Innovative modular architecture with four independent subsystems improves reliability and serviceability
System achieves 99% uptime with future-proof design and compatibility with both MCS and CCS connectors
ABB's expanding portfolio includes A200/300/400 chargers and the ChargeDock Dispenser for fleet applications
Megawatt charging technology is helping enable long-haul freight electrification in a market expected to reach $35 billion by 2030

Revolutionary Design Enables Practical Long-Haul EV Trucking

ABB's MCS1200 Megawatt Charging System represents a significant breakthrough for the electrification of heavy-duty trucking. The system delivers an impressive 1.2 MW (1,200 kW) and 1,500 A of continuous charging power, allowing electric trucks to replenish their batteries during standard driver rest breaks. This capability is crucial for making electric trucks viable for long-haul operations.

The charger features a field-upgradable architecture that divides the system into four independent subsystems. This modular approach improves reliability while ensuring the charger can adapt to future technological advancements. The system boasts up to 99% uptime, making it a dependable solution for commercial fleet operations where downtime directly impacts profitability.

Additional design innovations include patented double-wall cabinets and angled connector holders that improve durability and user ergonomics. A 21.5" HD touchscreen with award-winning interface design enhances the user experience, making operation intuitive even for first-time users.

Modular Architecture Enhances Reliability and Serviceability

The genius of the MCS1200 lies in its independent subsystem design. The charger consists of four distinct components—power electronics, user interface, payment system, and other critical elements—that operate autonomously. This architecture ensures that a failure in one area doesn't disable the entire charging system.

Close-up view of the modular components of the ABB MCS1200 charger with panels opened to show the four independent subsystems, highlighting the serviceable design.

This approach offers several practical advantages:

Quicker diagnostics when issues arise
On-site repairs that can target specific components
Upgrade cycles that can be tailored to each subsystem
Reduced downtime and maintenance costs

The MCS1200 supports both Megawatt Charging System (MCS) and Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors, offering broad compatibility for various electric truck models. This flexibility is essential for fleet operators who may have a mix of vehicle types or want to future-proof their charging infrastructure investments.

ABB's Comprehensive EV Charging Portfolio Expansion

The MCS1200 is just one part of ABB's expanding charging ecosystem. The company has introduced several complementary products to address various commercial and public charging needs:

A200/300/400 All-in-One Chargers: Upgradable public units starting at 200 kW and scalable up to 400 kW, providing investment protection and lower total cost of ownership
ChargeDock Dispenser: Designed for depot and fleet applications, supporting up to four vehicles simultaneously with 360 kW total output and 500A per port
C50 Compact Charger: A slim destination charger optimized for retail and public locations where space is at a premium

ABB's commitment to design excellence has earned multiple industry accolades, including the prestigious iF Gold and Red Dot Design Awards. These recognitions highlight the company's focus on combining functionality with user-centered design in their charging solutions.

Transforming Commercial Freight Transportation

The commercial availability of megawatt charging technology marks a turning point for the transport industry. Electric long-haul trucking is becoming increasingly practical as the MCS1200 allows trucks to recover their full driving range within a standard driver rest break—typically 30-45 minutes.

This capability is essential for maintaining efficient freight movement schedules and addressing one of the major barriers to electric truck adoption: charging time concerns. By aligning charging needs with existing operational breaks, fleet operators can transition to electric vehicles without sacrificing productivity.

The technology supports broader industry efforts to meet climate targets and reduce fossil fuel dependency. With the global EV charging infrastructure sector expected to reach $35 billion by 2030, solutions like the MCS1200 are positioned to play a crucial role in the sustainable transformation of commercial transportation.

ACT Expo 2025: Showcasing the Future of Clean Transportation

The 2025 ACT Expo, running April 28–May 1 in Anaheim, California, serves as the perfect venue for ABB to showcase its revolutionary charging technology. As the largest advanced commercial transportation event, ACT Expo brings together over 12,000 stakeholders, including 2,700 fleet operators and more than 500 sponsors and exhibitors.

ABB's presence at the expo includes live demonstrations of the MCS1200 and their broader portfolio of charging solutions. Key themes at this year's event include:

Infrastructure scalability for growing electric fleets
Operational optimization for commercial EV deployments
Industry collaborations between vehicle manufacturers and charging providers
Practical solutions for fleet electrification challenges

The showcase highlights how megawatt charging is moving from concept to commercial reality, accelerating the transition to cleaner, more sustainable commercial transportation across North America and beyond.