Kia-TBU Sign Business Agreement on New Rapid Charging Technology Between Vehicles

Demonstration Project for New Technology-Based Energy Trading Solution

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Kia is partnering with electric vehicle charging startup TBU to secure profits through energy trading of charging and discharging for electric vehicle buyers, while simultaneously demonstrating a zero-perceived charging time solution for consumers.

On the 21st, Kia announced that at Kia 360 (located in Apgujeong-dong, Seoul), key stakeholders including Baek Sang-jin, CEO of TBU, and Yoon Seung-gyu, Head of Kia Domestic eBiz Solutions, signed a business agreement to demonstrate an energy trading solution based on vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) rapid charging new technology.

Vehicle-to-vehicle rapid charging is a technology that enables rapid charging between electric vehicles, whose sales are steadily increasing, by connecting the charging ports of electric vehicles with a cable using the internal vehicle system, allowing charging and discharging between vehicles.

TBU is a startup providing the electric vehicle charging platform 'Elecbattery' and has received regulatory sandbox demonstration special approval from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, preparing to launch a mobile electric vehicle charging service. Additionally, it offers specialized solutions through data analysis such as AI-based charging demand-supply matching optimization algorithms and charging station operation efficiency prediction services.

Kia is currently developing new vehicle-to-vehicle rapid charging technology that drastically reduces charging time and vehicle modification costs compared to the mobile charging services using trucks currently available in the market. Once commercialized, Kia electric vehicle buyers will be able to generate profits through trading charging and discharging electricity.

If such energy trading expands into a platform business, individuals can secure profits by reselling residual electricity in their vehicles. Charging operators can offer subscription-based services, and taxi and rental car companies can add revenue models utilizing idle time. The end consumers will no longer face significant restrictions in using electric vehicles as there will be no need for charging infrastructure installation, travel, or waiting time for charging.

Through this business agreement, Kia and TBU plan to continuously verify ▲reduction of perceived charging time for electric vehicle owners ▲securing profit models through electricity resale ▲platform business scalability in preparation for energy market activation.

A Kia official stated, “Once energy-related regulations are resolved, the new vehicle-to-vehicle rapid charging technology has high scalability as a platform business and is an optimized solution for Korea, where the proportion of multi-family housing is high,” adding, “We will continue various demonstration projects to address unmet needs of electric vehicle customers.”

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