The electric vehicle ultra-fast charging network WATER announced on the 6th that it has opened new charging stations at a total of six highway rest areas, including the Hamann rest area on the Namhae Expressway in Gyeongsangnam-do.
The charging stations that began commercial operation on this day included ▲ 350 kW 6 units and 200 kW 1 unit toward Suncheon at the Hamann rest area, ▲ 350 kW 4 units and 200 kW 1 unit toward Busan at the Hamann rest area, ▲ 350 kW 3 units and 200 kW 1 unit toward Tongyeong at the Sancheong rest area, and ▲ 350 kW 1 unit and 200 kW 1 unit toward Cheongju at the Uiseong rest area.
Additionally, WATER charging stations have been operational since the 25th of last month, including ▲ 350 kW 2 units and 200 kW 1 unit toward Sokcho at the Okgye rest area, and ▲ 350 kW 1 unit and 200 kW 1 unit toward Busan at the Gunwi rest area.
WATER has installed at least one 200 kW fast charger at all new charging stations, which is the country's first compatible charger supporting both NACS (North American Charging Standard) and DC Combo systems. It features a dual-arm structure but can charge only one vehicle at a time.
Based on an agreement with the Korea Expressway Corporation, WATER plans to install a total of 206 ultra-fast and fast chargers at 46 highway rest areas nationwide by the end of April, and will continue to expand the charging infrastructure around the seven major expressways and key routes.
Yoo Dae-won, head of the electric vehicle charging business division at Brite Energy Partners (BEP) (WATER), said, "As the Korea Expressway Corporation expands the distribution of ultra-fast charging infrastructure, the overall qualitative and quantitative growth of charging infrastructure is accelerating," and added, "WATER will also build a dense ultra-fast charging network to ensure electric vehicle drivers can conveniently charge anywhere."