In 2022, Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) projected that more than 39.5 million electric vehicles would be sold by 2030. That’s a 53% upward revision in just two years. However, the pace of growth has slowed noticeably this year. EV sales have slowed in all countries, including the U.S., China, and Europe. Experts cite a lack of charging stations as the biggest reason for the decline in sales. Standard & Poor’s estimates that the number of charging stations in the U.S. will need to quadruple in the next two years and increase eightfold by 2030 to meet the charging demands of the growing number of electric vehicles. As the world’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure becomes increasingly urgent, a Korean company is attracting attention for its innovative charger development and platform business. Monthly PowerKorea sat down with Botari Energy CEO Hongsam Kim and heard the story.

 

Botari Energy to lead domestic EV charger infrastructure project on Jeju Island

Superior technology, in-house production, low prices, and excellent chargers

Over the past 10 years from 2013, the total number of car registrations in Korea increased by an average of 3.1% per year, while the number of EVs increased by 86.0%, with Gyeonggi, Seoul, and Jeju having the highest number of EVs in the country. Considering that Gyeonggi and Seoul have a high demand for EVs in proportion to their population, Jeju has the highest EV penetration rate in the country. Jeju’s high EV penetration rate is due to the government’s decision in 2015 to prioritize the island as a pilot area and expand charging stations. As the infrastructure has expanded, the penetration rate of EVs has naturally increased, and Jeju Island has become known as the island of EVs.

Botari Energy, a native Jeju company, specializes in electric vehicles and is the first generation of the domestic electric vehicle charging industry. Since launching its first EV charger in 2013, the company has focused on research and development to deliver innovative products. All products are produced directly in its own factory, and its excellent products at low cost have contributed greatly to the domestic electric vehicle charger market.

 

From slow chargers to 300 kW superchargers, Botari Energy provides canopy and foundation services

The company currently supplies home, public, and bus charging stations from 7kW slow chargers to ultra-fast chargers from 50kW to 300kW, along with all the associated equipment for charging infrastructure, from canopies to foundations. Experts believe that the company’s chargers are contributing significantly to infrastructure penetration and proliferation by lowering installation costs. Home chargers are mainly installed in apartments, other public facilities, and private homes, and can be installed flexibly without space constraints in both wall-mounted and stand-alone formats. The fast chargers are also available in a range of 50KW, 100KW, 120KW, 240KW, and 300KW, allowing for installations from public charging stations to speedy bus charging stations.

The base is divided into a wall-mounted structure and a standalone structure, so it can be installed in any place with a charger, and it is easy to maintain and repair stable equipment by providing a grounding device to reduce electric shock and burnout due to harmonics of equipment. This improves aesthetics, wind pressure, etc. when installed on unstable ground, and helps to maintain a balanced state by catching horizontal/vertical errors. The technology is currently patented as ‘Multifunctional foundation for electric vehicle charger and construction method’.

Botari Energy’s various products, including home chargers and quick chargers, have been installed at bus charging stations, Jeju Island, Seoul, local governments, and public companies across the country.

 

Seoul introduces smart streetlight EV chargers

Chargers with security/control system, waterproof and dustproof

Smart streetlight EV chargers and slim quick chargers are attracting attention recently. Smart streetlight EV chargers are suitable for dense residential areas such as townhouses and areas with high taxi traffic, and 30 of 50kW ultra-fast chargers are currently being installed in downtown Seoul. It is equipped with a high-efficiency LED night light, which is dimmable depending on the location, and a high-definition CCTV camera that provides real-time footage to the control center. This allows you to monitor the status of the charger and quickly respond to any unexpected incidents that occur around the charger. The charger lights up blue when it’s on standby and green when it’s charging.

It has a temperature sensor to prevent overheating and an automatic fire extinguishing function in case of a fire inside the charger. It is designed with an Air-Flow structure to effectively dissipate heat generated within the product, and it also has a splash protection device. It is IP44 waterproof and dustproof and uses a steel plate with high corrosion resistance and prevents rust and peeling.

CEO Kim says “We are installing this product in Seoul, mainly in dense residential areas. We plan to further enhance its durability by applying IP55-rated water and dust resistance to all products we produce.”

 

Slim type chargers are simple in installation, takes less space with convenience and stability

Unlike conventional chargers that are more than 1 meter wide, slim chargers have a slim profile of 40 centimeters, making them easy to install in small spaces. Therefore, it can be utilized in areas where parking spaces are scarce, such as apartments and supermarkets.

It’s also equipped with an automatic fire extinguisher for added safety, is water-, dust-, and splash-proof, and has dual connectors. At the 2023 International Battery & Charging Infra Expo & Conference, the company showcased its 7kW-14kW slow charger, 50kW-100kW fast charger, 100kW slim fast charger, 50kW smart street light charger, and 240kW ultra-fast charger, which attracted great attention from industry insiders.

 

Automatic fire extinguishing, waterproofing and dustproofing, and the release of quick-charging vehicles for discharged vehicles

Universal Design envisions a barrier-free electric vehicle charging

Botari Energy has equipped all of its chargers with automatic fire extinguishers and anti-vibration features, as well as a waterproof rating to enhance reliability. The company operates a fleet of mobile EV charger trucks for charger failures and EV discharges, and the handheld scanners enable real-time fault diagnosis. The company is committed to Universal Design. This means “designing for everyone”, creating an environment that is comfortable for all users.

The most representative product with this design is the Evon50-3CR, an electric vehicle charger for people with disabilities. This product has improved the usability of the product by adopting the CD/ATM standard method guide that can be used comfortably by all people, and the screen configuration has been made convenient to operate while further improving the convenience of operation movement and vision. The connector’s lightweight design and dual motorization provide a sense of security for all users. There’s plenty of space between the vehicle and the charger for easy mobility, and additional convenience features include color-coded storage, voice prompts for charging, and remote software and firmware updates.

 

Full control over 160 charging stations nationwide

Solar BIPV panel development and production

Botari Energy operates about 160 electric vehicle charging stations nationwide, both directly and on consignment, and has an integrated control system. All charging stations across the country can be controlled from the control center in Jeju. Charging, load, fault, and revenue status can be managed from Jeju. 

CEO Kim says “We plan to secure charging infrastructure across the country and establish a more systematic integrated management system through our platform business.” Founded in 2002, Botari Energy started with photovoltaics, established a photovoltaic junction box and converter manufacturing plant in 2007, was selected as a ‘Growth Enterprise SME’ in June 2010, completed its second renewable energy plant in August 2010, and in 2011 completed its corporate affiliated laboratory accreditation. The company has since built numerous solar power plants in Korea, including Jeju, and has made a significant contribution to the development of the solar industry in Jeju. 

Kim says “The EV charging business and renewable energy are inextricably linked. We are currently producing highly aesthetic BIPV panels and plan to link renewable energy with the EV charging business in the future.”

 

Botari Energy aims to be recognized globally and contribute to the widespread adoption of electric vehicle infrastructure

CEO Kim was named a Skilled Korean in 2013, received the Prime Minister’s Citation in 2012, the Small and Medium Business Administration’s Citation in 2015, and the Pylon Industry Medal for Meritorious Contribution to Local Industry Promotion in 2020. He was recently honored as a member of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. The Jeju Order of Merit is a system implemented by Jeju Island to recognize skilled technicians who have contributed to the development of local industries and the advancement and transmission of skilled technologies, and Mr. Kim was selected in the field of energy.

Kim says “We will always prioritize R&D and strive for market-leading technology. Our goal is to become a globally recognized company with an IPO in the future, contributing to the widespread adoption of electric vehicle infrastructure.”

신태섭 기자  tss79@naver.com