LG Energy Solution Kuru, Writing the First and Best Customer Experience... Subscribers 'Surge'

Battery Replacement in Just 20 Seconds... 2,000 Paid Subscribers
Leading the Battery Swapping Business for Electric Two-Wheelers
"Reduces Battery Swapping Costs by 40%"

The number of paid subscribers for LG Energy Solution's battery swapping service 'KooRoo' is rapidly increasing. This is the result of improved efficiency through quick swapping and charging times, as well as enhanced accessibility by operating over 440 stations nationwide.

According to Energy Solution on the 31st, the number of paid subscribers for KooRoo reached approximately 2,000 as of the end of February. The service has expanded rapidly, with subscribers increasing more than 20-fold within one year of its launch. As of last year, it held the number one market share for battery swapping stations in the Seoul metropolitan area. The cumulative number of swaps has exceeded 400,000, with a daily average surpassing 2,000 swaps.

A representative of LG Energy Solution's battery replacement service 'KooRoo' is conducting a 'free electric two-wheeler inspection' for delivery riders. (Photo by LG Energy Solution)

Battery Replacement in 20 Seconds... Reduces Maintenance Costs by Over 40%

There are 440 KooRoo battery swapping stations (BSS) nationwide. Among them, 300 are located in Seoul, and 130 are in the Gyeonggi and Incheon areas. By the end of this year, more than 300 KS-standard BSS units will be additionally installed, focusing on major metropolitan cities such as Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, Daejeon, and Gwangju. Accordingly, the plan is to build over 700 stations to complete a nationwide battery swapping network.

The greatest competitiveness of LG Energy Solution's KooRoo electric two-wheeler BSS business lies in convenience and cost-effectiveness. With the growth of the delivery market after COVID-19, the operation of internal combustion engine two-wheelers has increased, making these strengths even more notable. Electric two-wheelers are preferred by delivery riders because they offer significant improvements in environmental issues and operational cost savings compared to internal combustion two-wheelers, and they produce less noise and vibration.

The key to the service is long driving range after charging and fast refueling. KooRoo provides information on battery swapping stations through a mobile app, along with features such as battery swap reservations and navigation integration to enhance convenience. Battery swapping can be completed in 20 seconds through battery self-authentication without separate mobile authentication like QR codes, and it is compatible with various two-wheeler models and batteries.

The maintenance cost of electric two-wheelers using BSS is about half that of regular two-wheelers. For riders driving 125 km per day, the maintenance cost for regular two-wheelers is about 470,000 KRW per month, but by using KooRoo's unlimited plan with a one-year contract (149,000 KRW per month), costs can be reduced by over 40% to approximately 270,000 KRW.

Real-Time Safety Diagnosis Monitoring... Goal to Build Over 700 Stations Nationwide Within the Year

Another strength of the related service is that through BSS, LG Energy Solution's battery safety diagnosis technology can be utilized for real-time safe management. BSS monitors battery charging and discharging information, remaining life, and temperature 24 hours a day, and is equipped with a battery control system and drainage structure to prevent electric shock during rain. It operates in conjunction with a cloud control system to ensure stable battery charging and storage.

Field data obtained from customers is also used to upgrade the battery pack's charge-discharge profile and improve operational know-how. An LG Energy Solution official explained, "With the expansion of the electric two-wheeler ecosystem, we aim to contribute to building an eco-friendly, low-noise, and safe delivery culture, and in the long term, to provide battery swapping services for various applications beyond electric two-wheelers, such as ultra-small electric vehicles."

To enhance customer experience, KooRoo will be the first in the industry to introduce a membership points system. This membership system allows app users to accumulate points and is scheduled to launch in the second half of this year. Additionally, offline events such as free coffee truck giveaways and free inspections are held for delivery riders using KooRoo to connect customer feedback to service improvements. In the second half of the year, various pricing plans will be introduced to expand customer choice and diversify the user base.

Meanwhile, LG Energy Solution's BSS was the first in Korea to obtain the national standard (KS) certification issued by the Korea Testing Certification (KTC) and was selected as a subsidy target for the government's electric two-wheeler distribution project.