LGU+ Targets Market with Customized 'Ceiling-Mounted Electric Vehicle Chargers' for Korean Apartments

Joint Development with Hanwha Construction Division... Commercialization Next Year
Minimizing Idle Space to Enhance Underground Parking Efficiency
7·3·3kW Relay Charging... Maximizing Efficiency

When a charging card was brought close to the 'VoltUp' electric vehicle charger kiosk set up on one side of the parking lot, the electric vehicle charger descended from the ceiling. Plugging in the outlet started charging at 7 kW power. Then, the second and third vehicles plugged in and charged at 3 kW. When the first vehicle finished charging, the second vehicle began charging at 7 kW.

LG Uplus, Hanwha Construction Division, Zenith Korea, and Jippul Engineering jointly demonstrated the 'Korean-style Electric Vehicle Charging System' developed together on the 3rd at Zenith Korea's laboratory in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province.

An LG Uplus employee is demonstrating the 'Korean-style electric vehicle charging system.'
[Photo by LG Uplus]

The Korean-style electric vehicle charging system is a charger that maximizes space utilization, reflecting Korea's characteristics where electric vehicle adoption is rapidly increasing but parking space is limited. Chargers and cables are installed on the ceiling of underground parking lots, so no floor space is needed. From the floor perspective, it looks like a regular parking lot. One ceiling-mounted charger can simultaneously charge up to three vehicles. Existing chargers are placed on the ground and require safety structures (bollards), causing significant space waste. This system solves the parking space shortage problem, which is a major drawback of existing chargers. Kang Seung-hoon, a manager at Hanwha Construction, said, "Although we have not measured it precisely yet, space efficiency is improved by about 6-7%. From a construction company's perspective, it is positive because chargers can be installed underground without idle space."

Efficiency was improved through relay-style charging. Although the number of electric vehicle chargers allowed has increased due to legal amendments, it is difficult to increase the power capacity of existing apartment buildings. Only 1-3 kW slow chargers are installed. Assuming a 70 kW battery is charged, a 7 kW charger takes 10 hours, 3 kW takes 23 hours, and 1 kW takes 70 hours. Even if charging starts immediately after work, it is impossible to fully charge by the next morning. However, the ceiling-mounted charger automatically provides 7 kW capacity to the next vehicle once the previous vehicle finishes charging, increasing charging efficiency overnight. Lee Tae-yeop, a manager at LG Uplus, said, "Charging at 7 or 10 kW finishes faster, but the building's power supply capacity is limited. We designed it to sequentially switch and charge at 7 kW, using less power so that all vehicles can be charged overnight."

(From left) Kim Taekyung, Vice President of Jippul Engineering; Kang Seunghoon, Deputy General Manager of Hanwha Construction; Ma Sangwoo, Manager of LG Uplus; and Lee Sangmin, CEO of Zenis Korea, are introducing the 'Korean-style Electric Vehicle Charging System.'
[Photo by LG Uplus]

Usage is also simple. When charging starts, the cable automatically descends from the ceiling, and when the outlet is removed, it automatically retracts. This prevents damage and safety accidents. Payment can be made by bringing a dedicated card to the kiosk or using LG Uplus's 'VoltUp' application (app). It features an intuitive UX/UI for easy use. A 24/7 monitoring system and call center operate year-round to enhance customer convenience. Ma Sang-woo, a manager at LG Uplus, stated, "Leveraging our strengths in infrastructure construction and communication network operation know-how, LG Uplus is responsible for overall operation."

LG Uplus has filed seven technology and design patents with Hanwha Construction Division and others and completed certifications such as electromagnetic compatibility. Installation is being prepared at Hanwha Forena complexes, with full-scale introduction starting next year. Application is being considered not only for new apartments but also for existing complexes.

Although electric vehicles are rapidly spreading domestically, there is still no number one player in the electric vehicle charging market. Manager Ma said, "LG Uplus is expanding the mobility industry in various ways. We aim to create a good example with the Korean-style electric vehicle charging system developed in cooperation with multiple companies."