BMW Korea collaborates with KEPCO in developing EV charging technology

BMW Group Korea and South Korea’s state power firm Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) will jointly develop a next-generation “plug-and-charge” electric vehicle (EV) charging service.

By simply connecting a charging connection to the EV, which then immediately detects vehicle information, the plug-and-charge service provides for one-stop processing of user identification and payment.

For EV charging, drivers will no longer be necessary to scan cards, streamlining the process through contactless authorization and payment.

BMW Korea intends to complete the demonstration of a plug-and-charge service between KEPCO EV charging stations and BMW EVs by obtaining from KEPCO an electronic certificate based on public key infrastructure (PKI) and prepared under international standards on secure communication.

BMW's complete electric vehicles, which will be available in the country next year, will come with KEPCO's electronic credentials, allowing them to use the plug-and-charge service.

Both sides also intend to collaborate on the development of vehicle-to-grid technology, which allows for the use of excess electricity by connecting EVs to the power grid.