LG Electronics, the South Korean technology powerhouse, is set to enter the rapidly expanding electric vehicle (EV) charger market in the United States next year. The company’s foray into the sector will feature a lineup of owner-operated AC and DC EV charging stations, encompassing Level 2 and Level 3 chargers.
LG’s initial introduction to the US market will be marked by the launch of its Level 2 AC charger. This wall-mounted charging solution is equipped with a load management system and variable current settings, delivering an output power of 11 kW through a standard SAE J1772 connector. The versatility of LG’s Level 2 AC charger allows for installation at various locations within an establishment.
In tandem with the Level 2 AC charger, LG also plans to unveil a Level 3 DC charger in the coming year. Positioned as a stand-type model with an integrated Power Bank, this Level 3 DC charger is designed to provide EV owners with swift charging capabilities of up to 175 kW. The charger supports both CCS1 and Tesla North America Charging Standard (NACS) connectors, underlining the growing ubiquity of Tesla’s connector as a standard in the US.
Nicolas Min, Senior Vice President of LG Business Solutions USA, expressed LG’s commitment to supporting the electrification movement and facilitating the development of EV charging infrastructure in the United States. Min highlighted the importance of such infrastructure for achieving national clean energy goals.
LG intends to leverage its extensive nationwide business-to-business (B2B) sales and support network in the United States to bolster its EV charger business across the country. The company aims to empower individual businesses, including hotels, restaurants, venues, transit hubs, and municipal buildings, to own and operate EV charging stations.
The decision to incorporate Tesla’s North America Charging Standard (NACS) into LG’s Level 3 DC charger underscores the increasing acceptance of Tesla’s connector as a prevailing standard in the US market. Notably, numerous automakers, both domestic and foreign, have adopted the Tesla NACS, including Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, and Toyota. LG’s strategic move aligns with the broader trend of harmonization in EV charging infrastructure to streamline and enhance the user experience across diverse vehicle models.
