LG Electronics Inc., a global leader in home appliances, is venturing into future mobility with the opening of its first overseas electric vehicle (EV) charger factory in Fort Worth, Texas. This move is a significant step for LG in targeting North America, the world’s second-largest EV market by sales. The new factory spans approximately 5,500 square meters (59,200 square feet) and boasts an annual production capacity exceeding 10,000 chargers.
The facility has commenced manufacturing a slow-speed charger capable of 11 kilowatts (kW), featuring a power load solution that adapts to electric conditions. LG plans to expand its production to include fast chargers later this year, with models supporting up to 175 kW and 350 kW. The company is focusing on producing 175 kW models compatible with major EV charging standards like the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and the Combined Charging System Combo 1 (CCS1) in the first half of the year.
Jang Ik-hwan, head of LG’s business solution division, emphasized the company’s goal to actively meet the increasing demand for EV infrastructure in the U.S. This initiative aligns with President Joe Biden’s ambition to install at least 500,000 public chargers by 2030 and to have 67% of new U.S. cars be electric by 2032.
LG’s new 11 kW charger has already received certification to UL 2594, the UL Standard for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, and the EVSE Program Requirements for ENERGY STAR.
The company’s move into the EV charger market coincides with the efforts of another South Korean firm, SK Signet Inc., which also established a factory in Texas last year. These developments reflect the growing global EV charger market, projected to reach $186 billion by 2030.
LG plans to collaborate with U.S. charging station operators to sell chargers from its Texas facility, targeting various infrastructure needs at hotels, shopping malls, highway stations, and garages. The company aims to leverage its business-to-business sales networks in the U.S. for this purpose.
This strategic shift into the EV charger market is part of LG’s broader vision to diversify its business portfolio. The company’s sister concern, LG Chem Ltd., is the parent of LG Energy Solution Ltd., the world’s second-largest
EV battery maker. LG’s expansion into charger production is a natural extension of its existing competencies in the EV ecosystem.
Last year, LG’s CEO Cho Joo-wan announced plans to invest significantly in the EV charger business, underscoring the company’s commitment to this emerging sector. The start of EV charger production in South Korea through its subsidiary HiEV Charger, acquired in 2022, laid the groundwork for LG’s latest venture in Texas.
As LG Electronics broadens its footprint in the EV charger market, the company also eyes expansion into other overseas markets, including Europe and Asia. This global approach positions LG as a key player in the evolving landscape of EV infrastructure, aligning with the worldwide shift towards sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions.
