According to the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, a new revision of the Korean Standard (KS) recommending the use of Combo 1 will take effect from Friday, in a move to unify the country’s electric vehicle fast charging standards. (Image: Kobiz Media)
SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – Electric vehicle makers in South Korea will be encouraged to adopt fast charging standard Combo 1 going forward.
According to the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, a new revision of the Korean Standard (KS) recommending the use of Combo 1 will take effect from Friday, in a move to unify the country’s electric vehicle fast charging standards.
Among the five fast charging systems recognized by the International Electrotechnical Commission, electric vehicles in South Korea currently use CHAdeMO, Combo 1, and AC3.
However, Combo 1, which uses both direct current and alternating current and offers regular and fast charging, will be recommended from now on, after the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards consulted with South Korean and international electric vehicle and battery manufacturers.
The Industrial Standards Council also held a meeting to deliberate on the unification of the fast charging system for electric vehicles.
Combo 1 is the standard recognized by the American Society of Automotive Engineers, and has been widely accepted in the U.S. and Canada, boasting compatibility with regular charging standard Type 1, and having vehicle information communication advantages over CHAdeMO.
Around 67 percent of electric vehicles in South Korea use Combo 1, including the Hyundai Ioniq, Chevrolet Bolt EV, and BMW i3 according to data from the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers.
Despite the push for Combo 1, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards advises charging stations to keep multi chargers for other types of electric vehicles operational for the time being.
Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@koreabizwire.com)
