Chaebi and KT to enhance AI-based electric vehicle charging services

South Korean electric vehicle rapid charging infrastructure operator CHAEVI (CEO Choi Young-hoon, formerly Daeyoung CHAEVI) has joined forces with KT to advance AI-based charging systems and enhance customer services. The strategy aims to boost the competitiveness of AI-driven EV charging platforms through collaboration spanning charging station management, payment services, and the launch of exclusive products.

This partnership focuses on three key areas: ▲ strengthening AI-based customer services and operational efficiency, ▲ expanding payment infrastructure and joint marketing, and ▲ advancing charging infrastructure projects alongside smart city and public tender initiatives. By combining CHAEVI's charging service capabilities with KT's AI and telecommunications expertise, the plan is to improve user convenience and on-site management efficiency.

First, CHAEVI will introduce KT's 'AI Video Surveillance Service (Edge EVMS)', which utilises AIoT-based on-device AI technology, at its charging stations. This system analyses data in real time using AI on Edge Devices rather than the cloud, immediately detecting and alerting for anomalies such as fire risks, electric shock incidents, and facility damage. It also monitors abandoned charging connectors and long-term parked vehicles to enhance charging station efficiency, automatically storing relevant footage for cause analysis and post-incident evidence.

Collaboration in the payment sector to boost customer convenience is also set to intensify. The two companies plan to integrate KT mobile payment services into the CHAEVI app, creating an environment where users can easily access charging services without registering separate payment methods. Additionally, they aim to expand customer benefits and deliver differentiated service experiences through the launch of KT-exclusive products and joint marketing.

Furthermore, CHAEVI plans to operate an AI-based Contact Centre from the second half of this year. Moving away from the traditional advisor-centred customer service model, the system will see AI handle initial inquiries, summarise interaction histories and key details, and then pass them on to human advisors. This is expected to enhance customer convenience while also improving the operational efficiency of support staff.

Cooperation will also extend to smart city and public projects. Alongside KT, CHAEVI will jointly participate in smart city initiatives led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and local governments, as well as research, demonstration projects, and various public tenders, aiming to identify future mobility-based charging models. The two companies plan to jointly explore next-generation charging services integrating AI technology and smart infrastructure solutions, contributing to the creation of a sustainable future mobility ecosystem.

The AI video surveillance and AIoT technologies introduced through this partnership will be progressively applied to CHAEVI's ongoing motorway service area charging stations. CHAEVI is installing a total of 138 rapid chargers across 27 service areas in the Gwangju/Jeonnam, Daegu/Gyeongbuk, and Busan/Gyeongnam regions, with operations commencing sequentially from mid-June. Among these, 85 units are NACS-compatible chargers, expected to allow Tesla users to conveniently access rapid charging without needing a separate adapter.

Meanwhile, CHAEVI, as the leading private rapid charging infrastructure operator (CPO) in South Korea, manages approximately 10,000 rapid charging facilities. Since its KOSDAQ listing in April, the company has accelerated the expansion of ultra-fast charging infrastructure and the advancement of AI-based charging services, strengthening its competitiveness in future charging infrastructure.