LG Electronics Opens First US Factory To Produce Advanced EV Chargers

LG Opens First U.S. Factory To Produce Advanced EV Chargers

South Korean multinational conglomerate LG Electronics announced opening of its first factory in the United States (US) for assembling electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The new Electric Vehicle (EV) charger production factory is located in Fort Worth, Texas, and it expected to create new jobs and support the growth of America’s EV charging infrastructure.

Fort Worth Mayor Parker said, “This is a great day for Fort Worth,” she said, “with this global leader choosing to establish its U.S. manufacturing base for EV chargers and creating new jobs here. We take pride in knowing that LG’s advanced EV charging stations that will be deployed across the United States will be built right here in Fort Worth.”

The U.S. EV charger production factory of LG is estimated to have an annual capacity of more than 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 is claimed to use 100 percent green power, builds on LG’s longtime presence as a corporate citizen in Fort Worth. It has a million-square-foot distribution center for consumer electronics and home appliances, located for three decades. This latest investment in Fort Worth by LG Electronics is estimated to bring dozens of new tech jobs to North Texas and reinforces LG’s commitment to the region as an innovation and manufacturing hub of the future.

According to LG Business Solutions USA’s Senior Vice President Michael Kosla, 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.”

Knowing that the U.S. needs hundreds of thousands of new Level 2 and Level 3 chargers to support the growing number of EVs on the road, LG has developed owner-operated EV charging stations. It would enable hotels, restaurants, venues, transit hubs, municipal buildings and other locations to set their own rates. They can keep the profits that are generated and ensure enough capacity to meet local demands, according to Kosla.

The first products are being assembled in Fort Worth are Level 2 AC Chargers with a load management solution and variable current settings. It expected to generate 11kW of output power through a standard SAE J1772 connector. The Level 2 AC Charger is expected to be designed for simple wall mounting with an optional stand that enables placement anywhere. Model EVW011SK-SN is 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 is expected to assemble LG’s first Level 3 DC Charger, a stand-type model with a connected Power Bank. It can provide fast charging up to 175kW through Combined Charging System (CCS1) and North American Charging Standard (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 empowers 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.