[THE INVESTOR] Owners of electric vehicles will be able to charge their cars and get repair services at select gas stations operated by GS Caltex, under an agreement with LG Electronics, the companies said on Jan. 22.
GS Caltex, Korea’s No. 2 gas station operator, signed a memorandum of understanding with electronics maker LG to launch hybrid fueling stations combining traditional fuel pumps and EV charging infrastructure, the companies said in a release.
LG will provide 350-kilowatt fast chargers for EVs and install artificial intelligence-based digital signage to check EV’s conditions while charging and recommend customized repairing services.
The company said it will explore ways to deploy a robot-controlled charging system and wireless charging stations in the future.
GS Caltex plans to open the first hybrid station in downtown Seoul in the latter half of the year and expand the service in other major cities afterward.
“The energy-mobility convergence station will be a hub for charging, repairing and convenience services for electric vehicles,” Park Il-pyeong, LG’s chief technology officer, said during the signing ceremony held in Seoul.
By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)