BMW, GS, LG open EV charging hub lounge in Seoul

BMW Group Korea said on Thursday it opened the electric vehicle (EV) Charging Hub Lounge with GS Group and LG Group in Hoehyeon-dong, Seoul.

The Charging Hub Lounge offers drivers an experiential space to relax and explore BMW and MINI vehicles while charging their EVs.

Located on the former site of a GS Caltex gas station, the charging service is operated by GSchargEV, a private provider.

The lounge features six 200kW rapid chargers developed by LG Electronics Inc., supporting plug-and-charge (PnC) technology, which simplifies charging by automatically recognizing vehicle information to authenticate users and process payments.

BMW has installed triple-layer sprinklers in the charging area, alongside safety measures including thermal imaging CCTV, battery-specific fire extinguishers, and fire blankets.

BMW plans to add 350kW ultra-fast chargers and underfloor cooling extinguishing systems.

Write to Jin-Won Kim at jin1@hankyung.com