BMW establishes Korean version of NACS. 2,100 public chargers installed, open to other electric vehicles

BMW Korea announced ‘Charging Next’, a charging infrastructure expansion plan that includes installing 1,000 new electric vehicle chargers and building a BMW hub charging station and ESG charging station.

‘Charging Next’, promoted by BMW Korea, is a project that seeks to qualitatively and quantitatively expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure through large-scale investment.

The purpose is to present the ultimate charging environment led by BMW Korea and contribute to resolving national charging demand by providing a convenient and comfortable charging experience not only to BMW electric vehicle customers but also to all electric vehicle owners.

First, BMW Korea plans to install 1,000 electric vehicle chargers in 2024.

In addition, all newly installed electric vehicle chargers will be open to the public so that any electric vehicle driver can use them.

BMW Korea plans to install a cumulative number of 1,100 electric vehicle chargers by this year, and if 1,000 more are added next year, it will have a total of 2,100 electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

This number is close to more than 50% of all electric vehicle chargers currently supplied by automobile brands in Korea.

This expansion of electric vehicle chargers will be carried out in cooperation with LG Electronics and GS Energy.

In particular, 350kW and 200kW fast chargers developed with LG Electronics’ technology, as well as stand-type and stationary slow chargers, will be installed according to the purpose and conditions of the charging station.

In addition, the ‘BMW Hub Charging Station’, a new concept charging and resting space that expands the existing BMW charging station, will also be introduced.

The BMW Hub Charging Station, built on highways and expressways, is a comfortable resting area for electric vehicle charging customers, and is also a space where various electric vehicle models can be displayed to experience the new e-mobility proposed by BMW.

In addition, the plan is to further strengthen sustainability, one of BMW’s brand philosophies, by building an ‘ESG charging station’ that combines eco-friendly energy such as wind power and ESS made from recycled electric vehicle batteries.

Meanwhile, BMW Korea has been making continuous efforts to expand electric vehicle charging facilities by launching the pure electric model i3, the first domestic imported car brand.

Starting with the installation of 120 chargers at E-Mart branches nationwide in 2014, 532 electric vehicle chargers were built at showrooms and service centers nationwide, including fast charging stations in Jeju Island.

Since then, BMW charging stations have been opened sequentially, and installation of 920 stations has been completed to date.