"Automatic Payment Upon Charging"… BMW New Charging Station Combining Cafe and Exhibition Space

Automatic Payment Upon Charger Connection... First Introduction of PnC Imported Cars
Full Effort for Fire Prevention... Underbody Cooling Fire Extinguishing System to be Introduced
Also Functions as Cafe and Exhibition Space... 'Lounge-Type Charging Station'

Exterior view of BMW Group Korea's BMW Charging Hub Lounge located in Hoehyeon-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (Photo by BMW Group Korea)

BMW is establishing an electric vehicle charging station in Korea’s imported car industry for the first time that completes everything from user authentication to charging and payment simply by connecting the charging cable. To prepare for fire hazards, layered fire extinguishing equipment such as an underbody cooling fire suppression system has been introduced, and the charging station itself is designed to also function as a caf? and showroom.

On the 12th, BMW Group Korea announced the opening of this new-concept charging station, the 'BMW Charging Hub Lounge,' in Hoehyeon-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul.

The BMW Charging Hub Lounge is equipped with six 200 kW fast chargers developed by LG Electronics. Notably, it supports the 'Plug & Charge (PnC)' method, which simplifies the electric vehicle charging process. When the charging cable is connected to the electric vehicle, the vehicle information is automatically recognized, enabling user authentication and payment to be completed seamlessly. Hyundai Motor Group had already adopted this method earlier, but BMW is the first among imported car brands in Korea to introduce it. Joint development with Korea Electric Power Corporation began in 2022, and the official PnC service is scheduled to start in November.

Fire-related responses, which have recently been a subject of controversy, have also been strengthened. Triple sprinklers have been installed in the electric vehicle charging area, and firefighting tools consisting of thermal imaging CCTV, AVD fire extinguishers, and fire blankets have been provided. An underbody cooling fire suppression system will also be introduced in the future.

The services provided along with the functions have been newly revamped. Beyond the simple concept of a charging station, it will also serve as a lounge. All electric vehicle users of any brand can relax in the lounge while charging their batteries and also explore the latest vehicles from BMW Group Korea.

The construction and operation of the BMW Charging Hub Lounge are carried out in collaboration with GS Group and LG Group. First, in cooperation with GS Caltex, the BMW Charging Hub Lounge was established on the site of a former gas station. GS Chargebee operates the entire charging service as the charging business operator, and the lounge is managed by GS Retail’s Parnas Hotel.

The lounge operates on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., while the charging station is available year-round without holidays. BMW plans to install 350 kW ultra-fast chargers in the future. Furthermore, the number of chargers nationwide, currently at 1,600 as of this month, is planned to increase to 2,100 by the end of the year.

A BMW Group Korea official explained, "The BMW Charging Hub Lounge is the world’s first lounge-type fast charging station established within the BMW Group," adding, "It will be a space where charging, relaxation, and vehicle exhibition can all be experienced at once."