Hyundai Motor Group is making significant strides in the electric vehicle (EV) charging market with its development of cutting-edge, ultra-fast chargers. These chargers, with a power output of 350 kilowatts (kW), are aimed at challenging Tesla’s dominance in Korea.
Mdv Edwards - stock.adobe.com Hyundai’s engine and transmission parts-making unit, Hyundai Kefico Corp., is actively seeking certification from the Korean government for these super-fast chargers, with the goal of making them available for public use later this year.
Last October, Hyundai Motor Group announced its entry into EV charger development as part of its commitment to advancing EV technology. Once certified, the chargers, known as Blue Plug chargers, will be deployed nationwide across Hyundai’s charging stations. This move not only enhances the capability of the group’s electric cars but also increases the convenience for Hyundai EV owners.
To support its push into the EV charging market, Hyundai unveiled the E-pit brand in March 2021. Under the E-pit brand, Hyundai plans to establish high-speed EV charging stations equipped with its premium 350-kW chargers, providing a rapid and seamless charging experience.
However, the expansion of E-pit stations has been slower than expected, with only 36 stations currently in Korea, compared to Tesla’s 106 Supercharger stations. Hyundai Motor acknowledges this challenge and is committed to overcoming it.
One obstacle Hyundai faces is the cost of building premium E-pit charging stations. Each station requires four to six 350-kW chargers, and the company imposes strict quality standards on its charger suppliers. While this branding strategy aims to differentiate Hyundai’s charging stations, it has resulted in higher construction costs and limited the number of potential charger suppliers.
Hyundai Motor is actively working to address these challenges and accelerate the growth of its charging network. In doing so, it aims to compete directly with Tesla and offer Hyundai EV owners a widespread and reliable charging infrastructure.
