Global innovator LG Electronics has opened its first factory in the U.S. for assembling electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, the new EV charger production factory will create new jobs and support the growth of America’s EV charging infrastructure.
Commemorating LG’s entry into the U.S. EV charger market, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and other officials cut the ribbon at the new plant, joining LG Electronics senior executives Alec Jang, president of the LG Electronics Business Solutions Company; H.K. Suh, global head of LG’s EV Charger business; and Nicolas Min, president of LG Business Solutions USA.
Major Step In LG Roadmap
Head of LG Electronics’ EV Charging Business Division H.K. Suh explains the capabilities of a level 2 charger on display at the company’s grand opening of its U.S. factory on Jan. 12, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Brandon Wade/LG Electronics USA).
“The EV charger business is a growth engine for LG’s future, supporting the company’s transformation into a smart solutions company,” President Jang said, marking the start of EV charger production for the North American market. “LG will leverage the reliability and uncompromising quality of its chargers, maintenance services and vertical sales capabilities with the goal of becoming a leader in the EV charging business around the world.”
Mayor Parker applauded LG’s role in the Fort Worth community and underscored the significance of the new factory. “This is a great day for Fort Worth,” she said, “with this global leader choosing to establish its U.S. manufacturing base for EV chargers and creating new jobs here. We take pride in knowing that LG’s advanced EV charging stations that will be deployed across the U.S. will be built right here in Fort Worth.”
A Worthwhile Investment in EV Charging
LG workers assemble level 2 EV chargers at the company’s first U.S. EV charger factory on Jan. 12, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Brandon Wade/LG Electronics USA).
The 100,000-square-foot plant will have an annual capacity of 12,000 units. The new factory, which uses 100% green power, builds on LG’s longtime presence as a corporate citizen in Fort Worth, where its million-square-foot distribution center for consumer electronics and home appliances has been located for three decades.
As Mayor Parker observed, the latest investment in Fort Worth by LG Electronics will create numerous technical jobs in the “…fastest growing city within North Texas.” Moreover, it reinforces LG’s commitment to the region as an innovation and manufacturing hub of the future.
“[This] marks a major step in LG’s roadmap to support the electrification of America by making the EV charging infrastructure smarter, more accessible and more profitable for operators,” remarked Michael Kosla, senior vice president, LG Business Solutions USA.
According to Kosla, the Level 2 and Level 3 EV chargers produced at this factory “will open new opportunities for businesses, municipalities and other public places to support the electrification of America with independently owned and operated charging stations that create new revenue streams, additional marketing and income opportunities, and differentiation with competing businesses.”
Delivering the Ultimate Experience
Kosla further elaborated that the U.S. needs hundreds of thousands of new Level 2 and Level 3 chargers to support the growing number of EVs on the road. Subsequently, LG developed owner-operated EV charging stations so that hotels, restaurants, venues, transit hubs, municipal buildings and other locations are empowered to set their own rates, keep the generated profits and ensure enough capacity to meet local demands.
At the launch event, LG also extended its gratitude toward its Clean Energy Future partners. These included EV Connect, Swtch, Zone Energie, ABM Industries and EVRange. This partnership indicates the company’s broader electrification strategy, which empowers customers to convert to more sustainable energy usage, saving money and improving environmental outcomes in the process.
Assembly Plans
LG CLOi Robot welcoming attendees at the EV charging station plant. Photo courtesy of Amala Reddie.
The first products assembled in Fort Worth starting in January will be the Level 2 AC Chargers with a load management solution and variable current settings enabling 11kW of output power through a standard SAE J1772 connector. The Level 2 AC Charger will be designed for simple wall mounting with an optional stand that enables placement anywhere.
Model EVW011SK-SN has been certified to UL2594, the Standard for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment from UL Solutions, and ENERGY STAR, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s trusted energy and performance standard.
Starting in spring, the plant will assemble LG’s first Level 3 DC Charger, a stand-type model with a connected Power Bank that provides fast charging up to 175kW through CCS1 and NACS connectors. The Level 3 model will feature a large outdoor LCD touch-screen display that can serve multiple functions for various owners and use cases, including generating extra revenue through ad sales. In addition, 350kW ultra-fast-chargers are on the roadmap for later in 2024.
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!
[ad_2]
Source link
