GS Caltex and LG Chem to apply big data to EV charging

Oil refiner GS Caltex and battery maker LG Chem partnered up to develop business opportunities and services related to electric vehicle (EV) chargers, using big data analysis.

The two companies and four others — Signet EV, Soft Berry, KST Mobility and Greencar — signed a memorandum of understanding for the initiative at LG Twin Tower in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Tuesday.

A big theme in the collaboration will be making use of big data created at EV charging stations, the companies said.

The first outcome is likely to be a service that assesses the safety of EV battery use — EVs offered by the car sharing service Greencar and taxi operator KST would save up data as they are charged at GS Caltex’s stations. LG Chem would analyze that data, assess the battery’s current state and deliver that data to the driver’s smartphone.

A test run of the joint project will be run through 2021. GS Caltex and LG Chem’s goal is to export that model overseas starting 2022.

By Song Kyoung-son