TUV Rheinland opens Asia’s first CB testing laboratory for electric-vehicle charging stations and connectors in Shanghai

Delivering on Its Commitment to “One-Stop” Service for Electric Vehicle Charging Systems

TUV Rheinland Accelerates Its Pace in Green Energy Market

The opening ceremony for the TUV Rheinland Shanghai CB Testing Laboratory (CBTL) for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Connectors was held in TUV Rheinland Building here in Shanghai. The laboratory received CBTL certification from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and CNAS certification from the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA) in June and August 2012 respectively. TUV Rheinland has thus become the only third-party institution in the Asia-Pacific region with the ability to provide “one-stop” testing and certification services for organizations along the electric-vehicle industrial chain. During the opening ceremony and the subsequent lab visit, participants witnessed TUV Rheinland’s growth in this field, and its breakthrough achievements.

In response to global energy, environmental and climate challenges, electric vehicles have emerged as a possible solution and a new trend in the global automotive industry. According to McKinsey & Company, new energy technologies have the potential to help significantly reduce the carbon emissions of cars. In addition, electric vehicles have a number of other distinct benefits, including independence from fossil fuels and recharging during the valley hours of electrical grids. Research has proven that crude oil would have higher energy efficiency if used to generate power for electric-vehicle charging, rather than refining it to make gasoline for vehicle use. In addition, the wide range of energy sources available, particularly clean energy sources such as solar, wind, nuclear, and tidal energy, would help minimize environmental pollution.

Without doubt, the manufacture of electric vehicles is one of the most important methods by which car makers can enhance their competitive edge, ensure energy security and support the development of a low-carbon economy. Continued innovations and breakthroughs across the world have helped firms to cope with the financial crisis, soaring oil prices and increasingly pressing energy and emission challenges. Since 2008, the United States, Japan and EU have announced new strategies for electric vehicles. In addition to setting a clear direction, these countries have significantly increased research and development (R&D) input and policy support for the sector. Maintaining a competitive edge is a top priority, and the Japanese electric-vehicle sector has taken the lead in the world market in terms of R&D and industrialization. The United States, on the other hand, holds energy security as its top priority, with a focus on plug-in, hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The EU’s top priorities are reducing CO2 emissions and creating battery-only electric vehicles (BEV). In Germany alone, an investment of nearly 5 billion euros has been committed under the National Platform for Electric Mobility.

According to one global electric-vehicle market forecast, over the next five years PHEV and BEV sales will total 3.2 million units, recording a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) as high as 106 per cent. China will become the largest electric-vehicle market by 2015, with total PHEV and BEV sales of 888,000 units, or 27 per cent of the world total. The second-largest market will be the United States, with total sales of 841,000 units, or 26 per cent of the world total.

Benefiting from the boom in the electric-vehicle sector in the world market, a supporting sector — the charging system — is embracing the fast-growth opportunities. It is estimated that, by 2015, about 4.7 million charging stations will be set up around the world, and gross sales for charging systems worldwide will be total US$18 billion. Competition in the electric-vehicle charging-system market is now heating up, as transnational companies, including GE, Siemens, ABB, Schneider, and Bosch, expand into the sector.

In view of the severe challenges posed by the need for energy conservation and emissions reduction, it has become a historic quest to drive the development of new-energy vehicles as an emerging strategic sector, and for rapid progress in this field’s technology. Obviously, the development of electric vehicles is both a strategic demand and a strategic priority for China’s high-tech community. According to targets set under the 12th five-year plan for the development of electric-vehicle technology, total electric-vehicle ownership in China will reach nearly 1 million units by 2015, and 5 million units by 2020. By 2015, a power-supply network consisting of 400,000 charging stations and 2,000 charging/battery replacement stations will be established in over 20 pilot cities and their surrounding areas.

Since its foundation in 1872, TUV Rheinland has been committed to improving the safety and performance of products, systems and processes, to provide people with better safety assurance. TUV Rheinland started providing vehicle-test services in 1904, and today provides automobile and parts certification through 28 service sites around the world. It is authorized by the transportation departments of many countries to issue E/e-Mark certificates. As a result of keen market insight developed over the years, TUV Rheinland became the first organization to provide testing and certification services for electric-vehicle charging systems in 2008. With the industry’s largest engineering team, leading technologies, and the best “one-stop” service in the industry, “TUV Rheinland is recognized as a world-leading third-party inspection, testing and certification organization,” says Mr. Lutz Frankholz, COO of TUV Rheinland (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. “Keeping exactly in sync with the market beat, our experienced team took the lead in the China market by introducing testing and certification services for electric-vehicle charging systems. We help our clients prove the reliable quality and safety of their products, and guide buyers in making the right choice quickly.”

TUV Rheinland has numerous partners in the electric-vehicle charging-system market within China, including market leaders from the west such as Siemens, ABB, Bosch, Schneider, and Phoenix Contact, Delta Electronics from Taiwan, and domestic market leaders Nari (State Grid Electric Power Research Institute) and BYD. We are able to provide clients around the world with testing and certification services for charging stations, cables, connectors, and electric vehicles in accordance with the standards and regulations of the EU, United States, Japan, and China. Mr. Chen Weikang, director of TUV Rheinland’s Greater China Commercial and Industrial Product Service, says that: “China’s shipments of electric vehicles to North and South America have been increasing steadily. With its ‘one-stop’ service, TUV Rheinland helps Chinese manufacturers meet the requirements of different markets, including those for CE and TUV certification in Europe and cTUVus certification in North America. TUV Rheinland’s service has been a significant driver in helping China’s automobile industry to establish its position in the international market. We believe electric vehicles made in China will one day lead the world market.” Chen’s confidence in the firm’s testing and certification service for electric-vehicle charging systems knows no bounds.

About TUV Rheinland Greater China

An internationally renowned independent third-party testing, inspection and certification organization, TUV Rheinland possesses 140 years of experience, has 500 service locations in 65 countries on 5 continents, employs over 17,000 people worldwide, and provides professional service support to clients around the world.  TUV Rheinland employs approximately 3,000 people in the Greater China region, offering testing and certification services such as industrial and renewable energy services, electrical and electronic product testing, telecom testing, fast-moving consumer products testing, ergonomics evaluation, mobility, railway safety, food safety and management system.  TUV Rheinland has long been synonymous with rigorous high-quality testing and certification services and for providing a variety of professional assessments from an impartial and independent perspective.  We provide local companies with quality services and solutions that comply with safety, quality, and environmental-friendly requirements.

Press Contact

Simon Hung
Tel: 21921948
Email: simon.hung@hk.chn.tuv.com
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