Hyundai CRADLE, the open tech innovation unit from the Hyundai Motor Group, is partnering with Brooklyn-based EV charging firm itselectric and the New York City Economic Development Corporation to showcase curbside EV charging stations for city use. This latest partnership aims to make public EV charging more accessible in cities with curbside infrastructure.
The EV chargers will be North America’s first compact, durable, and user-friendly charge posts with a fully detachable charging cord. Six chargers have been deployed at the Brooklyn Army Terminal and the Brooklyn Navy Yard as part of the pilot, allowing local EV drivers to validate the product’s utility.
Hyundai CRADLE is known for investing in potential startups alongside developing its own projects to advance future mobility tech. The business unit focuses on areas including eco-friendly energy, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), mobility services, smart cities, and advanced materials to fuel the South Korean automakers’ growth into new high-growth markets.
For example, in 2018, Hyundai, through its subsidiary, invested in EV battery startup Ionic Materials to enable lower-cost and better-performing solid-state batteries with a new solid polymer electrolyte.
The partnership with itselectric is designed to accelerate EV adoption by expanding access to public infrastructure in places that currently lack it. With itselectric’s “behind the meter” approach, municipal budgets will have zero impact. The company partners with US cities to install, operate, and maintain chargers at no cost to the city or property owner while also allowing them to earn passive income monthly.
Henry Chung, senior vice president and head of Hyundai CRADLE Silicon Valley, explains how curbside EV chargers can provide a role in accelerating the zero-emissions rollout, saying: “Curbside charging is an important part of the EV charging ecosystem that can provide access for those who rely on public charging, and we look forward to exploring this opportunity.”
Overall, Hyundai CRADLE’s latest partnership with itselectric and the New York City Economic Development Corporation showcases the company’s dedication to developing future mobility tech, particularly in eco-friendly energy and smart cities. The partnership aims to make public EV charging more accessible in cities with curbside infrastructure, which is an important step in accelerating the zero-emissions rollout.
