SK Signet to Begin Production of America's First Ultra-Fast Chargers

SK Signet Factory in Plano, Texas
First Production of Over 350kW Ultra-Fast Chargers in the U.S.
Annual Production Capacity Exceeds 10,000 Units

Image of SK Signet Playno production plant. Photo by SK Signet

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] SK Signet is set to become the first in the United States to produce and assemble ultra-fast chargers with a capacity of 350 kW or higher.

SK Signet announced on the 16th that its electric vehicle charger factory to be established in Plano, Texas, will focus on ultra-fast chargers with a capacity of 350 kW or more, and plans to start production within the second quarter of 2023. SK Signet's 350 kW chargers are expected to be the first ultra-fast charger products produced and assembled domestically in the U.S. Previously, on the 12th of last month, SK Signet's board of directors decided to invest a total of 20.6 billion KRW (15 million USD) to establish the U.S. factory.

The new factory will cover a land area of 49,586㎡ (approximately 15,000 pyeong) and a building area of 13,223㎡ (approximately 4,000 pyeong), capable of producing more than 10,000 ultra-fast chargers annually. SK Signet plans to expand its workforce to about 200 employees by 2026 at this facility. The Dallas area, including Plano, hosts various manufacturing and logistics facilities such as Samsung, Toyota's U.S. headquarters, GM, and ABB, making it a well-equipped region for workforce supply and production infrastructure.

SK Signet is building a close collaborative system with the City of Plano to accelerate practical procedures such as future hiring. John Muns, Mayor of Plano, stated, "We welcome the establishment of SK Signet's factory, and SK Signet's innovative technology is a perfect fit for Plano's business environment. We are proud to attract world-class companies like SK Signet."

Following the U.S. midterm elections, the Biden administration's initiatives, including the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) policy and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), are expected to continue gaining momentum without major disruptions. SK Signet plans to further solidify its overwhelming number one position in the U.S. market, supported by government subsidy policies.

To qualify for NEVI subsidies, chargers must be produced domestically in the U.S. With the establishment of this factory, SK Signet will secure opportunities to benefit from NEVI subsidies. The 350 kW ultra-fast chargers produced in the U.S. will be supplied to SK Signet's major clients such as Electrify America, EVgo, and various charging station operators affiliated with automobile brands.

Jung Ho Shin, CEO of SK Signet, said, "Convenient charging experiences are essential for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles to achieve Net-Zero. Our new Texas factory will accelerate the practical electric vehicle era in the U.S. with products compatible with any vehicle and fast, safe charging solutions."

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