LG Electronics Establishes Dual Safety Network to Prevent Fires in 7kW Slow Electric Vehicle Chargers

LG Electronics is enhancing safety by incorporating fire prevention technology into domestic slow electric vehicle (EV) chargers and accelerating its EV charger business. The company plans to stand shoulder to shoulder with the global number one company in terms of quality and reliability by next year and leap to become a global top-tier EV charger company by 2030.

LG Electronics' 7-kilowatt (kW) slow electric vehicle (EV) charger for domestic use equipped with fire prevention technology. [Photo by LG Electronics]

원본보기 아이콘

On the 21st, LG Electronics announced that it will add the 'power cut-off after charging completion' technology to the existing 'smart control' technology in the 7-kilowatt (kW) slow chargers released domestically. This will establish a dual safety net to prevent fires during EV charging.

'Smart control' is a technology where the charger receives battery charging information from the EV and transmits it to the control system, and upon receiving charging control commands from the control system, immediately stops charging to prevent overcharging. The power line communication (PLC) modem and electric vehicle communication controller (EVCC) embedded in the charger communicate in real-time via the charging cable to monitor accurate charging information.

LG Electronics' smart control technology has obtained certification for the standard communication protocol between EV and charger 'ISO15118 VAS' and the standard communication protocol between charger and control system 'OCPP.' Through this certification, LG Electronics also met the requirements of the Ministry of Environment's 'Slow Charger Installation Subsidy Project.' Both communication protocols are based on international standards, allowing future expansion to overseas models.

'Power cut-off after charging completion' is a technology that prevents overcharging through the charger's own algorithm in case the EV communication system fails to receive battery charging information due to errors. If the power consumption during charging remains below 1 watt (W), the lowest measurable power by the charger, for more than 30 minutes, it judges the charging as complete and cuts off the charging.

Additionally, LG Electronics applies processes for customer safety during product development. All LG Electronics EV chargers control the use of ten hazardous chemical substances such as lead, cadmium, and mercury below the European Union (EU) RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) standards during manufacturing.

According to German consulting firm Roland Berger, the global EV charging market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 32.3%, reaching approximately $186 billion (about 255 trillion KRW) by 2030. Active movements are also underway domestically. Last year, the Ministry of Environment announced plans to increase the number of EV chargers to more than 1.2 million by 2030, about six times the number in 2022.

Earlier, on the 10th, LG Electronics held a press conference at LG Digital Park in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, reiterating its plan to become a global top-tier EV charger company by 2030. To this end, it emphasized that by next year it will stand shoulder to shoulder with Swiss ABB, the world’s number one EV fast charger company, in terms of quality and reliability.

Seo Heung-gyu, head of LG Electronics’ EV charging business division, said, "We will continue efforts for customer safety, including applying dual safety technologies to prevent fires, and solidify our position as a trusted 'EV charger business operator.'"

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.