Pantograph Charger Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Charging Type (Level-1, Level-2, and DCFC), By Power Output (50-100 Kw, 300 Kw, 600 kW, and Others), By Vehicles (Buses, Trucks, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

A pantograph is a device used on electric vehicles to transfer power from overhead lines to electric motors. It consists of linked arms or bars attached to collector shoes, which contact the overhead line to draw power. The collector shoe is connected to the vehicle's electric motor, which uses power to drive the wheels.

When Electric batteries cannot provide extended power to the vehicle, constant electricity usage is required, which a pantograph helps. Depending upon load and usage, there are different types of Pantographs, like fixed and flexible types. It has an advantage over electric charging stations: it can operate without needing to stop for recharging.

On the other hand, a pantograph charger is used on electric buses and vehicles, but instead of drawing power, they are used to recharge vehicle batteries. As the demand for electric vehicles is growing, especially in the transport market, they will be more common in the future, and there will be new infrastructure and growth to support them.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Pantograph Charger Market

COVID-19 had a substantial impact on the economy and the pantograph charger market. The slowdown in production and disruptions in the supply chain led to delays in the production and delivery of pantograph chargers. The pandemic also caused a reduction in the demand for electric buses and trucks which operated on these chargers. consumer usage, like transportation and logistics also played an important role in the reduction of sales thus reducing mobility and economic activity. The decrease in public transportation usage was also a key reason for the short sales of commercial electric vehicles, which was already the primary market for pantograph chargers.

Post-pandemic a shift in usage of public transport and growing demand for electric mobility, which is more economical has led to high demand for pantograph buses and trucks and their chargers. There will be high economic growth post-Covid for manufacturers of these chargers as this has also driven innovation and competition among manufacturers. Companies are investing in research and development to create more advanced and efficient chargers, making electric buses and trucks more accessible to operators.

Key Insights

The report will cover the following key insights:

• Key Industry Developments – Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships.


• Porter's Five Forces Analysis.


• Technological Developments.


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Automotive Relay Market.

Analysis By Charging Type

The DCFC charging type is one of the fastest-growing categories in the pantograph charger market. A DCFC is a high-powered EV charging station that can completely recharge a typical bus or truck battery in about 30 minutes. These fast chargers provide an essential backbone for EV drivers, enabling faster corridor travel and emergency charging. DCFCs can help encourage new adoption of EVs by reducing range problems. The market in the forecasted years will grow significantly owing to the amount of power available from the utility or other primary power sources, the charge rate, the range of the EV, and the amount of time that the EV is available to recharge.

Analysis by Power Output 

The 150-300 kW power output Pantograph Chargers will lead the market segment because most currently running buses and truck stations use these wattage chargers. They are easy to install, less bulky, and have no power cycles. These charging stations Enable high uptime thanks to a robust design, remote diagnostics, and management tools.

They also Charge buses and trucks from different brands with the same charger, following international standards and comprehensive inter-operational testing. Automated current collectors enable vehicles of different elevations to be docked in the vehicle depot within seconds. The charging process occurs overnight, so there is no need for huge amounts of electricity to flow quickly. These pantograph chargers are anticipated to grow highly due to high electrical commercial vehicle demand.

Analysis by Uses

The E-Bus market will grow rapidly due to passenger footfall on commercial transportation as they become increasingly popular. Network technology is evolving to meet users' unique needs for commercial electric transportation, like advanced booking and route optimization. The charging and electricity costs are lower, and having multiple depots of organizations will be cost-beneficial in longer terms. All of these developments will increase profit and sales for manufacturers.

Analysis by Region

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The highest growth rate is expected in European markets, especially Nordic Countries and mainland Europe due to less charging time for buses as well as they require less maintenance and their service interval is quite low compared to traditional buses and trucks. Additionally, these buses and trucks have a major advantage over conventional gas-powered vehicles, i.e., they are quieter, more economical, and have more torque on the get-go. Their electric propulsion system is also known for its reliability and smooth and comfortable passenger rides.

In urban areas, more traffic congestion has caused a shift towards electric mobility and transportation, especially in the bus market. These vehicles can pass through congested areas due to flexibility and sometimes having their dedicated lanes. Furthermore, advancements in technology have also contributed to the growth of the market, and the market is poised to play a vital role in shaping the future of urban mobility. This trend is followed by South East Asian countries due to having major manufacturing units, High automation, and the presence of major manufacturers of E-Buses and trucks which will have a rising impact on sales in Europe and the Asia Pacific. The rapid adoption of electric Buses and public transportation will bode well for regional growth.

Key Players Covered

Siemens AG (DEU), ABB Ltd. (CHE), Heliox BV (NLD), Kiepe Electric GmbH (DEU), Schunk Group (DEU), Bombardier Inc. (CAN), AEG Power Solutions (NLD), Conductix-Wampfler GmbH (DEU), Medcom SpA (ITA), KPIT Technologies (IND), Beijing E-Star Electric Technology Co., Ltd. (CHN), BYD (CHN), Tata Motors (IND).

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• January 2022: Mercedes-Benz announced the testing of a fleet of electric Citaro buses with pantograph charging in Hamburg, Germany. Siemens AG provided the charging infrastructure.


• April 2022: Swiss Electronics company ABB announced its expansion of pantograph charging stations in Sweden and Switzerland.


• May 2022: Tata announced with other manufacturers to set up electric pantograph charging stations in India.


• September 2022: Volvo announced the launch of E-Buses with a charging capacity of 600kW. These buses will be used between Amsterdam and Schiphol Airports.