It is possible now to charge electric vehicles at all of LG Electronics’ Best Shops regardless of types and manufacturers of electric vehicles.
According to industry on the 14th, LG Electronics’ distribution affiliate called Hiplaza along with Hyundai have set up charging stations at 10 major Hiplaza stores. After E-mart, this is the second time when charging infrastructures are installed at distributors that are located in all of South Korea.
LG along with Hyundai have utilized ample space of parking structures at stores and set up charging infrastructures to provide convenience to customers who own electric vehicles. Customers who visit Best Shop will now be able to charge their cars while parking. Hiplaza is going to provide spaces while POSCO ICT will be in charge of Hyundai business and operate and maintain charging infrastructures.
Charging infrastructures that are installed at LG stores are products that are developed and produced by Joongang Control and are 7kWh-level products. Installments are going to start early this month and there are going to be 30 stores that will have such charging infrastructures. Considering battery remains of electric vehicles that are brought by customers, posts that say electric vehicles can be fully charged in 2 to 3 hours are also posted.
LG’s thinking is that these posts will naturally induce customers to Best Shops while their cars are being charged. Hiplaza has prepared advertisements of ‘Eco-Friendly Charging Infrastructures for Electric Vehicles’ in its stores and is planning to advertise to customers who own electric vehicles.
LG is very active in establishing charging infrastructures. It has installed charging infrastructures at parking lots of major business places such as Seoul Twin-Tower, Gwanghwamun Building and others and is increasing level of convenience of using electric vehicles at work or out of work. It is also working on changing work-only cars with electric vehicles and hybrids that have LG Chemicals’ batteries.
“LG and Hyundai have come together to provide convenience to customers who have electric vehicles while also increasing charging infrastructures in South Korea.” said a representative for LG Electronics. “Our goal is to have customers who own electric vehicles naturally visit Best Shops regardless of maker of a car.”
Hiplaza and Hyundai are planning to increase number of stores by targeting stores that have large spaces of parking.
Staff Reporter Seo, Hyeongseok | hsseo@etnews.com & Staff Reporter Park, Taejon | gaius@etnews.com