SKB Subsidiary Expands Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure for Public Housing with Kia Motors

Home&Service Signs Strategic Business Agreement with Kia
Consultation, Visit, and Installation upon Request for Kia EV Vehicle Owners

On the 17th, Home&Service, a subsidiary of SK Broadband, announced that it has signed a strategic business agreement with Kia to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure in multi-family housing. Photo by SK Broadband

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Home&Service, a 100% subsidiary of SK Broadband, is partnering with Kia Motors to promote the distribution and expansion of electric vehicle chargers in multi-family housing such as apartments and villas.

On the 17th, Home&Service announced that it had signed a strategic business agreement with Kia to build charging infrastructure and provide solutions for multi-family housing. This is the first time that an automaker and a charging service provider have partnered with the goal of expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure in multi-family housing.

The main target of the partnership between the two companies is Kia EV vehicle owners residing in multi-family housing. When customers request, Home&Service will provide consultation, on-site visits, and installation of slow chargers in multi-family housing such as apartments and officetels. In addition, they will offer comprehensive services including maintenance, customized consulting, and support for all administrative tasks related to charger operation.

Kia electric vehicle owners can apply for the solution through event banners on Kia.com, the Kia Members website, and the MyKia application (app). After entering contact information and the desired installation area, consultations will proceed. After application, the charger will be finally installed following approval from the multi-family housing residents' representative meeting (management committee).

The demand for charging facilities in apartment complexes has been confirmed through surveys. According to a survey conducted in February by Softberry, operator of the electric vehicle charging information app ‘EV Infrastructure,’ among 1,896 users surveyed, the largest 35% of respondents identified apartment complexes as the place where charging facilities need to be expanded. In particular, from this year, newly built apartments are required to install chargers for at least 5% of total parking spaces, and existing apartments for at least 2% of total parking spaces.

Home&Service, which oversees SK Broadband’s high-speed internet and IPTV installation and after-sales service, entered the electric vehicle charging business in September last year. They created the ‘Home&Charge’ brand and have installed and operated about 6,000 slow chargers nationwide. The business has grown fourfold in size (by number of chargers) within one year of launch.

Home&Service has a distinctive advantage in that it can utilize over 150 nationwide bases and 5,000 skilled personnel based on its experience operating information and communication facilities within multi-family housing. This year, it was also selected as a subsidy operator for slow electric vehicle charging facilities by the Ministry of Environment and as a subsidy operator for outlet-type chargers by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Kim Il, CEO of Home&Service, said, “Through building charging infrastructure, we will enhance the convenience of charger use for electric vehicle drivers and further contribute to practicing eco-friendly ESG (environment, social, and governance) management.”