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SK Electlink opens ultra-fast EV charging stations in expressway stops!

- Holding opening ceremony in Cheongju SA on June 30 - Building an EV charging station equipped with 200kW+ ultra-fast chargers··· to be in operation for 10 years - Expected to add 60 charging stations to business facilities of the Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC) in the 2nd half-year SK Electlink is opening ultra-fast EV charging stations in 62 expressway stops around the country to provide customers with a quick and pleasant EV trip experience. SK Electlink (CEO: Cho Hyung-ki), Korea’s biggest private fast EV charging service provider, announced on July 2 that the Company held an ultra-fast EV charging station opening ceremony in Cheongju Service Area on June 30. The opening ceremony was honored by the presence of CEO Cho Hyung-ki of SK electlink, CEO Ho Jeong Lee of SK Networks, CEO Jung ho Shin of SK Signet and distinguished guests representing relevant authorities including the KEC, the Ministry of Environment, the Korea Environment Corporation (KECO), the Korea Electric Vehicle User Association (KEVUA), among other dignitaries. SK Electlink was awarded the Expressway Stop Private EV Charging Station project tendered by the KEC in last October over other prominent competitors. SK Electlink is now contracted to roll out 200 ultra-fast EV chargers in a total of 62 expressway service areas and provide EV charging services for 10 years going forward. 42 charging stations will be completed and commercially available by early July, with the remaining 20 stations to be commissioned in sequence by August as they are tied to the wrap up schedule of the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Upon completion of the project, ultra-fast EV chargers operated by SK Electlink will reach over 2,700 in total. Chargers installed in SK Electlink’s ultra-fast charging stations are the dispenser-type ultra-fast chargers showcased in the EV Trend Korea 2023 in March, consisting of 53 350kW chargers and 147 200kW chargers. A 350kW model can charge an Ioniq 6 from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. The strength of SK Electlink’s ultra-fast charging stations lies not only in their fast charging capabilities but also other solutions that make EV charging a breeze. The auto charging service allows customers to authenticate their identity only by plugging charging connectors into their EVs without clicking buttons on the charger screen or using a membership card. Sensitive data collected via the communication between a vehicle and a charger is encrypted for user authentication to prevent possible damage to customers arising out of theft of card information or password. The hassle-free authentication process is also welcomed by customers. Furthermore, the charging booking service allows customers to charge without waiting and the charging interruption prevention system prevents unauthorized occupation of the charging area. Key to the charging interruption prevention system is the AI deep-learning technology that detects vehicle numbers with a camera and identifies vehicles parked illegally or for a long time without authorization. Penalties are imposed to vehicles that do not leave the charging area after charging is completed to reduce EV charging congestion, ensuring a pleasant charging experience and preventing disputes between customers that can possibly aggravate into social issues. On top of that, a control system dedicated to the expressway charging stations is implemented to address charger failures remotely, and service engineers are dispatched in not more than two hours from SK Networks service’s nationwide service network. Charging stations are also monitored by thermal cameras to prevent fire and assure the safety of their customers in the charging environment. SK Electlink aims to leverage these service strengths to improve the satisfaction level of express charging station users and accelerate the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure in Korea as well. “When designing the ultra-fast charging stations, we focused on addressing the insufficient number of charging stations and lengthy waiting time that frustrated EV users most,” CEO Cho Hyung-ki of SK Electlink said. “We will work hard to provide users with convenience and safety in their EV charging experience.” Meanwhile, SK Electlink was selected as the private operator of charging stations for the business facilities of the KEC in April. An additional 60 charging stations will be deployed in the business facilities of the KEC in the second half of this year to support EV charging by expressway users. CEO Cho Hyung-ki of SK Electlink (2nd from the right), CEO Ho Jeong Lee (1st from the right) and representatives of the KEC, the KECO, and the KEVUA pose for a commemorative photo at SK Electlink’s expressway stop ultra-fast EV charging station opening ceremony held in Cheongju Service Area

SK Electlink

SK electlink showcased EV charging technology at the EV Trend Korea. “We will resolve EV charging difficulties and provide an optimal charging experience through technology development.”

- Visitors were impressed with SK electlink’s independently designed Home Charger and Multi-purpose Variable Capacity Charger. - SK electlink has proven itself as a leading EV charging solution supplier with the Charging Interference Prevention System. - “We will enhance our charging capabilities and pursue expanded development of charger models that meet customer demand.” SK electlink, having recently joined the SK group under the new name, is receiving much attention from customers for various products, including the Multi-purpose Variable Capacity Charger, which debuted at South Korea’s leading electric vehicle exhibition. SK electlink (CEO: Cho Hyung-ki), South Korea’s largest private supplier of level 3 EV chargers, announced on March 16 that it participated in the EV Trend Korea 2023, a three-day event held from March 15 to 17, and showcased a total solution for EV charging service operation, Home Charger, and Multi-purpose Variable Capacity Charger. Many visitors, including the Ministry of Environment, the EV industry, and service users, visited the exhibition booth. SK electlink also held three pre-booking conferences to introduce its charging platform, which received much attention from the industry and customers, with more than 200 participants on the first day. The new SK electlink-branded 7kW Bluetooth-enabled Home Charger has captured the value for satisfaction trend unique to EV users and offers differentiated charging functions and enhanced design elements. The product is characterized by increased customer convenience as malfunctions can be remotely addressed when authenticated via Electlink App, which allows charging and mileage management in addition to battery status and tire management functions using the remaining battery level. Customers who visited the exhibition booth took note of the charger’s compact design and delicate color using the SK brand color. The Multi-purpose Variable Capacity Charger debuted at the exhibition is an improved version of the IoT streetlamp-type smart charger that can be converted to either streetlamp type or general model depending on where the charger is installed. Unlike the previous version with a fixed supply capacity that can only be increased by replacing the charger, power bank modules can be added to adjust the charging capacity. The charger’s charging capacity upgradeability up to 200kW, even after installation, received much attention from industry insiders. SK electlink demonstrated a streetlamp-type charger with a thermal surveillance CCTV that can be useful for general crime monitoring and charging station fire safety. The Company also created an R&D zone in the exhibition booth to share the development progress of a multi-charging solution for wired/wireless charging, which will be convenient for using electric vehicles in the future. SK electlink’s Charging Interference Prevention System also received attention. This system utilizes a camera mounted on the charger and AI-based deep learning technology to scan a vehicle’s license plate to identify whether it is an EV or not, detect vehicle movement, and analyze charger status data to accurately determine any event of illegal occupation of the charging surface. The analyzed information is transmitted to relevant control agencies or local governments through SK electlink’s charging station control system. This system is expected to play a more significant role as an effective solution for local governments and charging station operators expressing difficulties due to rapidly increasing complaints about unauthorized EV charging surface occupation and the increase in electric vehicles. An SK electlink executive said, "The Charging Interference Prevention System will allow customers to pleasantly charge their EVs and help resolve social issues that may arise from disputes between EV drivers. " SK electlink will maximize stakeholder satisfaction by offering the optimal charging experience that resolves frustrations of EV charging based on tech-based customer services, including the solution showcased in this exhibition, auto-charging service, and reservation charging service. The company also plans to speed up building super-fast charging stations in highway service areas and in partnership with local governments with high EV adoption rates. The strategy is to seek continuous charging capability enhancement and pursue expanded development of charger models that meet customer demand. SK electlink organized a hashtag event to link SS Charger with SK electlink for EV Trend Korea visitors and will extend the event until the end of this month to continue communicating with customers. Photo 1. SK electlink’s exhibition booth at the EV Trend Korea 2023. New chargers and the Charging Interference Prevention System were showcased. Photo 2. An EV Trend Korea 2023 visitor is looking at the Dual Mode All-in-one Charger displayed at SK electlink’s exhibition booth. Photo 3. SK electlink’s new products: Bluetooth-enabled Home Charger (left) and Multi-purpose Variable Capacity Charger (right)

SK Electlink

SS Charger is renamed to ‘SK electlink’ “We will remain at the top of the industry by providing the optimal EV charging experience.”

- A new company name was decided to start as part of the SK family to evolve into an industry leader. - With the words ‘elect‘ and ‘link’ combined, the company seeks to pursue the EV charging business and connect with customers. - “We will be the No. 1 company in the industry with the best technology and service, ensuring customer convenience.” SS Charger, the largest private supplier of high-speed EV chargers in South Korea, has been renamed to SK electlink. The new company name was approved at the recent shareholders’ meeting, and SK electlink will be the name that will greet EV customers in the future. SK electlink announced on March 13 that it would strive to become the industry leader with network and technology capabilities under the new name as part of the SK family. The name SK electlink comes from the combination of ‘elect,’ a prefix for the word electricity, and ‘link,’ which means connection. The new name implies the company’s orientation towards connecting EVs and EV chargers, company and customers, and SK electlink’s EV business and social values, such as environmental protection. SK electlink is the largest South Korean private company in the Level 3 EV charging business that runs more than 1,800 Level 3 EV chargers across the country as of March 2023. In October last year, it was selected as the preferred bidder for the ‘Construction of EV Chargers at Highway Service Areas’ competition in recognition of its technological excellence and operational know-how. It is currently building charging stations on more than 60 highway service areas and plans to complete them in the first half of this year. SK electlink became an SK networks’ subsidiary at the end of last year. This year, it plans to speed up building intensive, super-fast charging stations in highway service areas and in partnership with local governments with a high EV adoption rate. The company further seeks to maximize stakeholder satisfaction through customer-centered service upgrades for services such as auto-charging and reservation charging. CEO of SK electlink Cho Hyung-ki said, “Under the new name of SK electlink, we will show our determination to connect with our customers and offer them the optimal EV mobility life,” and added, “We will be the No. 1 company in the EV charging industry with the best technology and service, ensuring customer convenience.” SK electlink will appear in the new name for the first time at the EV Trend Korea 2023, held at COEX, Samsung-dong, three days from March 15 to communicate with customers. The company will showcase the Multi-purpose Variable Capacity Charger, the next generation of the streetlamp-type charger, and the Charging Interference Prevention System that can resolve the social cost caused by charging obstruction. Also, a hashtag event is organized to link SS Charger with SK electlink to raise customer awareness of the new company name. Photo 1-1. SK electlink’s CI (Korean) Photo 1-2. SK electlink’s CI (English) Photo 2. SK electlink’s Seoripul Level 3 EV charging station