According to Newsis,
Despite sluggish domestic market due to the shortage of semiconductors for vehicles, the sales of electric vehicles (EV) in last month increased 53.7 percent compared to May, showing a marked increase. With about 10 new electric vehicles launched in the second half of this year, the era of electric vehicles is approaching fast.
In the midst of heated competition for launching new vehicles, domestic auto makers have been accelerating strategic collaboration, networking, and expansion of infrastructure and services to take the leadership in the EV market.
For instance, while targeting the EV market, Hyundai Motor Group has been expediting the expansion of charging infrastructure to contribute to revitalizing propagation of domestic EVs.
In collaboration with Mirae Asset on July 5, it set up and started operating 'Uljiro Center One E-pit', a high-speed charging station, in Mirae Asset Center One building located in Uljiro, Seoul. Four chargers capable of high-speed charging up to 260kW and two chargers capable of quick charging up to 100kW have been installed. EVs which adopt Combo1-domestic charging standard-as a basic charging mode, can charge their cars regardless of manufacturer. Thus, it is expected that EV users can charge their cars quickly in daily life, such as during commute or working hours.
Kia introduced a pilot pickup charging service and mobile-exclusive app 'eOn', enhancing convenience of charging for EV users. The pickup charging service is provided for Kia's EV users, which is a 'charging on demand service': pick up a vehicle at the place of a user's choice, charge the vehicle at nearby charging station, and deliver the car to the user again. Users also can use EV pickup charging service via mobile through an exclusive app 'eON.'
Autoplus, an automobile distribution and management company, is to strengthen the competitiveness of EVs in collaboration with Tesla Korea. Autoplus announced on July 15 that it will open Tesla EV test center within its maintenance factory ATC(AUTOPLUS Trust Center).
At Tesla's EV test driving center, Tesla's flagship models including Model 3, Model Y, are on display. Those who want to do test-drive can make reservation through Tesla's official KakaoTalk Channel.
Autoplus's marketing director said, "we have secured sufficient competitiveness in the EV sector as well through timely response, such as running a manufacturer-linked program to improve our employees' EV warranty repair and general maintenance skills in line with rapidly increasing demand for EV," adding "we expect that we can lay the foundation for full-fledged EV business through collaboration with Tesla Korea."
The rental car industry also stands at the forefront of EV popularization by targeting customers who want to experience EVs before making purchase.
SK Rent-a-Car plans to build EV-only complex in Jeju Island. It plans to build a EV-only rental center in which 3000 EV cars can be recharged and operated by 2025, creating a multi cultural space on the 1,000-pyeong land it owns in Seogwipo where people and EVs can be re-charged and rested. Moving forward, about 1.3 million travelers per year are expected to tour around Jeju riding EVs serviced by SK Rent-a-Car.
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Source: Newsis (July 15, 2021)
** This article was translated from Korean.