SKT Demonstrates Electric Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Reduction Effects with SK Rent-a-Car and Softberry

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] SK Telecom announced on the 28th that it has signed a business agreement with SK Rent-a-Car and Softberry for a demonstration project related to the greenhouse gas reduction effects of electric vehicles.

Through this collaboration, the three companies plan to measure the greenhouse gas reduction effects of electric vehicles using the latest ICT technology for six months starting next month, and establish a business model for registering greenhouse gas reduction projects and securing emission rights.

The government recently announced plans to actively promote eco-friendly future mobility businesses and expand the supply of electric vehicles from 91,000 units in 2019 to 1.13 million units by 2025.

In this collaboration, SK Telecom is responsible for providing the latest ICT support for systematic demonstration and planning reduction projects that comply with international standards. SK Telecom plans to deliver electric vehicle operation information to SK Rent-a-Car’s ‘Integrated Vehicle Information Management System’ via the IoT dedicated network 'Cat.M1', build a greenhouse gas reduction calculation program that comprehensively analyzes related data, and devise a business model to secure emission rights.

SK Rent-a-Car will manage the operation of the electric vehicles subject to demonstration and support the platform. SK Rent-a-Car will attach the ‘Electric Vehicle Dedicated Driving Record Self-Diagnosis Device’ developed for this demonstration to about 100 electric vehicles operating in Jeju Island, and measure overall driving information such as travel distance and charging frequency for calculating greenhouse gas emissions through the ‘Integrated Vehicle Information Management System’.

Softberry is an innovative startup established in 2017 that operates the electric vehicle user-exclusive platform ‘EV Infra’. Currently, about 90% of electric vehicle users utilize Softberry’s charging station location information application. Softberry plans to explore cooperation methods that can create synergy based on its platform operation know-how and the on-site feedback from its service users.

Depending on the results of this demonstration, the three companies also plan to discuss providing a compensation program for greenhouse gas reduction to general electric vehicle users who actively participate in addressing global warming.

Lee Junho, Head of SK Telecom’s SV Promotion Group, said, "This project is significant as it is a case of collaboration with innovative startups utilizing the resources and capabilities of SK Group to overcome global warming," adding, "We will continue to cooperate with various stakeholders to create ESG innovation cases for companies."

Yoon Minho, Head of Business Development at SK Rent-a-Car, said, "SK Rent-a-Car is leading the electric vehicle supply by recently promoting electric vehicle charging service development with Korea Electric Power Corporation and launching the industry’s first unlimited charging product," and added, "We will seek ways to create social value through greenhouse gas reduction together with customers."

Park Yonghee, CEO of Softberry, said, "I hope this becomes an opportunity for electric vehicles to prove their infinite potential and competitiveness as representatives of eco-friendly mobility," and added, "We will create various services to improve driver convenience so that electric vehicle customers can take pride in using electric vehicles."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.