Hyundai Motor Group Launches Ultra-Fast Charging Brand 'E-pit'... Infrastructure Development Accelerates

Authentication → Charging → Payment possible without separate operation... Waiting ticket issuance system also introduced
12 locations on nationwide highways to open by mid-April... 8 urban locations to open sequentially

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Hyundai Motor Group is accelerating the establishment of related infrastructure by unveiling its integrated ultra-fast charging brand for the group. On the 23rd, Hyundai Motor Group announced the launch of a new brand, 'E-pit,' which presents a future charging vision including plans to foster a charging ecosystem platform, starting with the construction of 20 ultra-fast charging locations with 120 chargers.

E-pit is inspired by the motorsports racing term 'Pitstop,' which refers to a vehicle stopping at the pit (a makeshift maintenance area and base camp within the circuit) during a motor race and then returning to the track. Hyundai Motor Group plans to evolve E-pit into a charging platform that provides all services related to charging quickly and easily under the concept of a 'pit stop for electric vehicles.'

Hyundai Motor Group's E-pit aims to offer services that are Fast, Easy & Convenient, and Premium. First, customers using electric vehicles equipped with Hyundai Motor Group's 800V system can charge up to 80% in about 18 minutes at E-pit charging stations, reducing charging time by up to 50% compared to existing charging times. This speed allows approximately 100 km of driving with just 5 minutes of charging.

Additionally, E-pit plans to provide easy and convenient services by applying the Plug & Charge function, which enables authentication, charging, and payment without separate operations. Along with this, by applying a Digital Wallet, authentication and payment can be made using the E-pit application at charging stations without the need for separate physical cards for each charging operator.

Furthermore, to prevent conflicts among waiting customers when E-pit charging stations are fully occupied, a Digital Queue service, an app-based waiting ticket issuance system, has been implemented. For the convenience of electric vehicle charging customers, usability of the heavy and stiff charging cables has also been improved. Ergonomic designs such as automatic height adjustment, rotation function, and auxiliary handles have been added, and automatic sterilization LEDs have been installed on the charger handles.

In addition, E-pit charging stations are constructed as canopy buildings, providing a comfortable space for customers to charge even in bad weather. The canopy features a contemporary minimalism design concept, embodying a refined and clean body with a sturdy yet pure image. Its iconic design conveys the message of the arrival of the future electric vehicle era.

Hyundai Motor Group is planning three key strategic directions to foster the charging infrastructure ecosystem following the launch of the E-pit brand: ▲building an execution network ▲promoting multifaceted collaborations ▲developing a charging infrastructure service platform.

Starting with building an execution network through technology development, business partnerships, and collaboration systems to expand urban ultra-fast charger deployment, Hyundai Motor Group plans to develop charging solutions to alleviate charging inconveniences at actual living hubs centered around apartments and provide these to businesses in need, while also promoting multifaceted collaborations to activate charging infrastructure construction.

To promote mutual growth with domestic charging operators, create new business opportunities, and improve quality and customer experience, an advanced charging infrastructure service platform will also be developed. By utilizing this platform, charging operators can reduce the burden of developing and operating individual service systems, enabling efficient business operations. Moreover, not only charging operators but also various general service providers can offer innovative value-added services such as parking and car washing linked to charging as integrated services. This is expected to facilitate stable quality management of chargers and charging services.

A Hyundai Motor Group official stated, "The construction of 20 ultra-fast charging stations and the provision of innovative charging experiences mark the beginning of the E-pit brand," adding, "Starting this year, we plan to actively promote the fostering of a charging ecosystem platform, aiming to create future businesses and innovative products in the electric vehicle era and contribute to the virtuous cycle development of the domestic charging infrastructure industry."

Meanwhile, E-pit charging stations are scheduled to open 72 chargers at 12 highway rest areas nationwide by mid-April, and 8 locations (48 chargers) at major urban hubs will open sequentially. All electric vehicles with DC Combo Type 1 can be charged at E-pit charging stations.

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