The 37th International Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS37) in Seoul, South Korea, stood as one of the biggest events of its kind, pulling together an international community focused on the electrification of transportation. The journey to Korea was our first business trip of such distance, making our participation particularly exciting. EVS37 not only provided profound insights into the Korean and wider Asian markets but also proved to be an invaluable reservoir of knowledge for the entire electric vehicle industry.
The main topics on the expert panels were V2X, Plug and Charge (PnC), Batteries, and Software Defined Vehicles. There are a few key takeaways from the event.
Korean EV market
Korea's charging infrastructure is notably robust, boasting 260,000 public charging stations, of which 25,000 are DC fast chargers as of May 2023. The ratio of electric vehicles to public charging points stands at 1.9. However, the development of charging infrastructure at apartment complexes presents considerable challenges. Factors such as urban layout, space constraints, and the need for separate energy billing systems influence the feasibility of these installations. The impact of these infrastructural elements varies by region: densely populated areas see a boost in electrification efforts, whereas less populated regions face hurdles. Additionally, there is a legislative mandate in Korea that requires the installation of charging stations in any parking lot with more than 50 spaces, further emphasizing the nation's commitment to electrification. While the hardware aspects of EV charging remain pretty strong in Korea, the software falls behind. Roaming services are barely present.
Software-defined vehicles & V2X
Additionally, the concept of software-defined vehicles has garnered significant attention at the symposium, with both greenfield and established OEMs placing a strong emphasis on software-centric approaches. This strategic shift highlights the growing recognition that software is pivotal as vehicles become more interconnected and reliant on digital technologies.
Another important point of discussion at the panels was V2X technology, which encompasses vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) integration. As usual, this technology continues to be a focal area due to its potential to transform how electric vehicles interact with the power grid and home energy systems.
Tech exhibitions during EVS37. Here: Hyundai Motor Group
Market development and future direction
The last key takeaway from the conference highlighted the disparities in electric vehicle adoption rates across different global markets. It was evident that the rate of EV adoption varies significantly worldwide, and there is a critical need for advanced markets to share their strategies and successes. This sharing is essential to help less advanced markets overcome barriers to EV adoption. By disseminating best practices and key objectives globally, stakeholders aim to foster a more unified and effective approach towards achieving mass adoption of electric vehicles.
