Kia is collaborating with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) to establish a future electrification and power ecosystem using Purpose-Built Vehicles (PBVs).
On the 24th, Kia announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with KEPCO on the 23rd at ‘Kia 360’ in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This agreement aims to fulfill Kia’s vision of “Platform Beyond Vehicle” and align with KEPCO’s goal to provide job-optimized mobility through the adoption of PBVs and achieve a transition to zero-emission vehicles.
Representatives in the agreement include Junho Lee, the Executive Vice President of KEPCO’s Safety & Business Distribution, and Wonjeong Jeong, the Head of Kia’s Domestic Business Division.
The two companies plan to cooperate in developing PBV models optimized for KEPCO’s distribution and sales tasks and collaborate on developing a Fleet Management System (FMS) to enhance work efficiency. Additionally, starting with the PV5 model set for release in 2025, Kia will analyze KEPCO’s vehicle operation characteristics and actively incorporate the needs of various field sites.
Moreover, Kia is set to work on technology development for future EV charging services, including Plug and Charge (PnC) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) services, to quickly adapt to the changing electric vehicle market environment.
A Kia representative stated, “This MOU will help expand customized mobility services and accelerate the growth of the electric vehicle ecosystem. We aim to enhance consumer convenience and reduce purchase burdens through collaboration on future electric vehicle charging technologies.”