The electric vehicle fast charging network WATER announced on the 20th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the mobility platform corporation SOCAR to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Through this agreement, WATER and SOCAR will cooperate to establish ultra-fast charging infrastructure at rest areas along national highways and major hubs, aiming to reduce charging time for electric vehicle users. SOCAR, which launched its service in 2012, has secured over 10 million members as of August 2024.

At the headquarters of Bright Energy Partners (BEP) in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Yu Dae-won (left), the head of BEP Electric Vehicle Charging Business Division (Water), and Namgung Ho, the Chief Business Officer (CBO) of SOCAR, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure. /Courtesy of Bright Energy Partners

WATER is an electric vehicle charging brand launched by Bright Energy Partners, a climate infrastructure investment company, in November 2022. The company plans to install 206 ultra-fast and fast chargers at 46 highway rest areas by the end of April.

The two parties have agreed to actively utilize WATER's charging infrastructure to promote the use of eco-friendly electric vehicles and to collaborate in developing the newly established electric vehicle charging infrastructure as "SOCAR Electric Vehicle Zones" (SOCAR Zones). They also plan to jointly participate in charging infrastructure expansion projects led by government agencies or local governments.

With this MOU, SOCAR users will be able to easily search and use WATER charging stations within the SOCAR app. Utilizing WATER's ultra-fast charging infrastructure will reduce charging time to just 20 minutes, significantly enhancing the convenience of electric vehicle charging for SOCAR users. About 60% of SOCAR's electric vehicle charging demand occurs on highways; however, the existing charging stations available through SOCAR's partner companies at highway rest areas have been limited.

Starting in early April, WATER will officially begin collaboration on ultra-fast and fast charging networks targeting SOCAR users. Initially, charging will begin by tagging the existing SOCAR charging cards, but subsequently, an auto-charge service will be gradually introduced at WATER charging stations, which will activate charging as soon as all electric vehicles connect to the charger.

Namgoong Ho, head of the SOCAR Business Division, said, "We will continuously strive to ensure that SOCAR users can charge quickly and conveniently even on highways in cooperation with WATER."

Yoo Dae-won, CEO of WATER, stated, "By expanding ultra-fast charging infrastructure at major hubs and highway rest areas across the country, we will support electric vehicle users in charging more conveniently."

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