Korea & Company Shares Batteries for Electric Mobility Aids for Mobility-Impaired Users

Delivered a Total of 300 Upgraded Models

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Hankook & Company, the business holding company of Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire), announced on the 25th that it visited Hanbat Center for Independent Living of the Disabled in Seo-gu, Daejeon, and Wanju-gun Disabled Welfare Center in Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk, delivering a total of 300 electric mobility aid batteries.

The ES Business Division of Hankook & Company held the ‘Electric Mobility Aid Battery Sharing Ceremony’ to support convenient mobility for people with disabilities who have difficulty moving. This year, due to the recent advancement in mobility aid technology for the disabled requiring higher power, upgraded models (each with 53Ah and 68Ah capacity) were provided compared to the existing batteries (50Ah capacity).

Through this, about 300 people with disabilities using electric mobility aids such as electric scooters and wheelchairs were provided with a safe and comfortable mobility environment. Furthermore, plans are in place to continue supporting regular maintenance such as continuous battery performance checks and replacements, disinfection and cleaning of assistive devices, parts replacement, and repairs.

Generally, the lifespan of electric mobility aid batteries is about 1 to 2 years, but it can be shortened to less than a year if used frequently in harsh environments such as steep slopes or long distances. Although some subsidies are provided for battery prices, they are expensive, costing around 200,000 KRW depending on capacity, which places a significant financial burden on low-income disabled individuals who must use electric mobility aids as part of their body.

Accordingly, Hankook & Company has been supporting the mobility convenience of low-income disabled people by conducting battery sharing projects for 11 years since 2012 with Hanbat Center for Independent Living of the Disabled and for 9 years since 2014 with Wanju-gun Disabled Welfare Center.

Meanwhile, Hankook & Company, a holding company with Hankook Tire as an affiliate, merged with ‘Hankook AtlasBX’ in April last year and newly launched as a business holding company. Operating the vehicle and industrial lead-acid battery brands ‘Hankook’ and ‘AtlasBX,’ it provides services to about 450 customers in approximately 100 countries worldwide, securing sales competitiveness in the global market.