Kia Launches Pilot Service Selling Electric Vehicle Energy Accidents

Kia announced on the 1st that, together with electric vehicle charging startup TBU, it will begin a pilot operation of the 'Mobile Charging Service' from the 2nd of this month to demonstrate an energy trading solution.

Kia's developing 'Mobile Charging Service' is an electric vehicle charging service based on new vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) fast charging technology. V2V fast charging technology enables charging and discharging between vehicles by installing a separate controller inside electric vehicles and connecting their charging ports with a cable. Once commercialized, it can reduce waiting times for EV charging and enable revenue generation through energy trading.

Kia and TBU are conducting this demonstration project as part of the business agreement signed in November last year. Using the EV6 electric vehicle and the Bongo III mobile charging vehicle, the 'Mobile Charging Service' will be operated in Seoul and Pangyo from the 2nd of this month until August 30th.

Electric vehicle owners who wish to experience the service can apply through TBU's EV charging platform application 'elecvery' by entering the charging location and time, and receive up to 30kWh of free charging once.

Kia will deploy the EV6 equipped with V2V fast charging technology, and TBU will provide charging support using the Bongo III mobile charging vehicle equipped with chargers. Currently, TBU has received regulatory sandbox demonstration approval from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to provide mobile EV charging services. To enhance convenience, Kia plans to offer free services such as tire pressure checks and windshield cleaning during charging.

Through this demonstration project, Kia aims to verify whether energy trading can expand into a platform business. In the future, once energy-related regulations are resolved and V2V fast charging technology is commercialized, charging operators could offer subscription services, and taxi and rental car companies could secure additional revenue models by utilizing idle time. Consumers are expected to experience significantly improved charging convenience.

A Kia representative said, "V2V fast charging technology, which uses the batteries of electric vehicles with surplus power to charge other EVs, will make customers' electric vehicle usage experience more innovative. Through the know-how accumulated in this demonstration project, we plan to advance the energy trading solution and consider the commercialization of V2V fast charging technology."