LG Electronics has opened its first factory in the United States for assembling electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, the new production factory will create jobs and support the growth of America’s EV charging infrastructure.
LG’s EV charger production facility will have an annual capacity of over 10,000 units. Initially, EV charger operations occupy about 60,000 square feet of the 100,000-square-foot building, leaving room for expansion as the business grows in the years ahead.
The new plant — which uses 100% green power — builds on LG’s longtime presence in Fort Worth, where its million-square-foot distribution center for consumer electronics and home appliances has been located for three decades. This new facility will bring dozens of new tech jobs to North Texas.
“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,” said Michael Kosla, senior VP of LG.
To support the growing number of EVs on the road, the U.S. needs hundreds of thousands of new Level 2 and Level 3 chargers. LG has developed owner-operated EV charging stations giving hotels, restaurants, venues, transit hubs, municipal buildings, and other locations the ability to set their own rates.
The first products now being assembled in Fort Worth are Level 2 AC Chargers, with 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 the second quarter, 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 this year’s product roadmap.
LG’s EV charger launch supports the company’s broader electrification strategy, which aims to encourage customers to convert to more sustainable energy usage, saving money and improving environmental outcomes in the process. LG’s suite of whole home electrification products includes heat-pump-enabled HVAC systems, water heaters and dryers, energy storage systems, and ENERGY STAR certified smart appliances, including induction ranges and cooktops.
To further aid in energy and cost savings, LG’s ThinQ Energy platform allows customers to take control of their home’s energy usage at their fingertips.
Filed Under: Charging, Technology News