[르포] When I went to Korea’s first high-speed charging station for electric vehicles

Input 2021.01.21 14:52

At 9 am on the 21st, a prominent building opened on Cheonho-daero, Gangdong-gu, Seoul. Hyundai Motor Company (005380)Wow SK networks (001740)It is Korea’s first electric vehicle charging station’Hyundai EV Station Gangdong’ established by a joint venture. In the past, the site of a gas station in Gil-dong has been transformed into a rapid charging station for electric vehicles with a total floor area of ​​4297m2 (1300 pyeong) with 2 basement levels and 4 floors above ground.

In 2017, Hyundai Motor Company and SK Networks signed a business agreement to change the gas station, a representative symbol of an internal combustion engine vehicle, into an electric vehicle charging station. Hyundai EV Station Gangdong is the first result.

In the front of the first floor, four units of Hyundai Motor’s ultra-fast electric vehicle charger’Hi-Charger’ are located. It is not a gas station charger or a charger attached to a wall that was commonly seen in the past, but a charging connector from the ceiling to fit the location of the charging port of each vehicle. The large touch screen displays charging time, charging power, charging charge and remaining charge (percentage), allowing you to stop charging immediately when you want.

Here, eight high-charged units are arranged in two rows on the first floor. In terms of area and facilities, it has the largest and fastest charging capacity in Korea. According to Hyundai Motor Company, if you charge an electric vehicle with an 800V charging system through a high charger, it can charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes. Models equipped with’E-GMP’, an electric vehicle platform exclusively for Hyundai Motors, including Ioniq 5, which will be released in March, will be fully charged in 30 minutes through a high charger.

Previously, there were only six high chargers installed nationwide, including two in Hyundai Motor Studio Goyang, one in Daegu, two in Jeju, and one in Pohang, making it difficult for drivers to use. Starting with the eight units being installed here, Hyundai Motor Company plans to build a total of 120 high chargers in 12 highway rest areas and eight major city centers across the country this year.

The high charger applies a partial automation method to the connection line, so you can connect the connector to the charging port without feeling the weight of the connection line. If you select the front, left, or right side according to the location of the charging port of your vehicle through the touch screen, the connector comes down accordingly. When the connector comes down, you can adjust it in detail through the upper and lower touch buttons. The connector is suspended from the top, so there is no need for the driver to hold it. Another feature is that it can charge two electric vehicles at the same time with a dual-type charging port. However, if two electric vehicles are charged at the same time, the output is reduced to 175 kW each.

On the first floor, there is a high-charger charging station and a test drive center. Customers who are considering purchasing an electric vehicle can make a reservation over the phone or the Internet, and then visit the charging station to receive test drive assistance from a professional instructor. Currently, the vehicles that can be tested here are Kona Electric and Nexo, and customers can choose the course they want to test-drive.

In addition to the general test drive where you can experience the overall vehicle driving performance and convenience technology with the instructor, there is a special test drive that allows you to experience’Car+Picnic’. There is also a night test drive, which allows you to test drive until 8 PM, and a self test drive for customers who do not prefer direct response from the staff. The center of the first floor and the second floor are composed of cafe spaces, so any visitor can stay comfortably.

On the 3rd floor, SK Magic’s first experiential brand shop’it’s magic’ is located. SK magic is a subsidiary of SK Networks that can rent or purchase home appliances such as direct water purifiers and dishwashers. On the 3rd floor, which consists of a brand experience zone and a shared kitchen where private dining is possible, you can use SK magic products such as water purifiers, air purifiers, and massage chairs before renting or purchasing. However, until March 24, only executives and employees are allowed to enter during the pre-open period.

The fourth floor consists of a remote office and seminar space that SK Networks members can use as a working space. An official from SK Networks said, “We are proud to have opened the nation’s first electric vehicle charging station in a different form from the previous one in cooperation with Hyundai Motor Company, and at the same time, we are proud to be able to present Terra Rosa Coffee and SK Magic Brand Shop together.” We will further increase the speed of spreading electric vehicle infrastructure and building a platform by cooperating with various partners including,” he said.

In order to revitalize the domestic electric vehicle market, Hyundai Motor Company decided to open Hyundai EV Station Gangdong to customers using other electric vehicles and operate the charging station 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, in the case of other vehicles, the charging time or charge may vary.

In addition, Hyundai Motor Company customers can receive benefits such as reservation and payment for charging, free use of e-books and vehicle cleaning supplies while waiting for charging, and a 23% discount on charging fees by signing up for a high-charger smartphone application and completing vehicle authentication.