This file photo provided by BMW Korea shows the new 530e i PHEV model.
SEOUL, April 12 (Korea Bizwire) — BMW Group Korea said Monday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s state power firm Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) for joint development of a next-generation “plug-and-charge” electric vehicle (EV) charging service.
The plug-and-charge service allows for one-stop processing of user identification and payment by simply connecting a charging cable to the EV, which then automatically identifies vehicle information.
Drivers will no longer be required to scan cards for EV charging, simplifying the charging process through contactless means of authorization and payment.
BMW Korea plans to complete the demonstration of a plug-and-charge service between KEPCO EV charging stations and BMW EVs by acquiring a public key infrastructure (PKI)-based electronic certificate from KEPCO, made in accordance with international standards on secure communication.
BMW’s full EV models, to be released in the country next year, will be equipped with KEPCO’s electronic certificates to allow access to the plug-and-charge service.
Furthermore, both parties plan to cooperate in the development of vehicle-to-grid technology, which allows for a surplus amount of electricity to be utilized by connecting EVs to the power grid.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
