The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) has established a platform to resolve compatibility issues between electric vehicles and chargers in real time and enhance the global competitiveness of related industries.

On the 25th, the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) opened the world's first 'Global InterOperability Testing Center (GiOTEC)'.

GiOTEC is a platform that connects various electric vehicle and charger manufacturers, providing an infrastructure that can continuously resolve charging errors through interoperability verification.

The GiOTEC opening ceremony was held on September 25th at the KERI Ansan Branch, and was attended by approximately 100 key officials, including KERI President Nam-gyun Kim, National Research Council of Science and Technology Chairman Young-sik Kim, Ansan City Vice Mayor Nam-seok Heo, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Executive Director Seung-seok Lee, and EVgo Research Director Keith Beckstead.

Electric vehicle charging compatibility consists of two components: couplers and sequencers.

The coupler is a physical connection device recommended by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to ensure compatibility with Combo 1, but the sequence is a charging procedure and communication protocol. As it is an invisible element that defines, errors frequently occur due to differences in interpretation by manufacturers.

In particular, with the introduction of new technologies such as PnC and V2G in the future, the possibility of charging errors is expected to increase further.

KERI has been conducting event-based cross-validation through international testing (Test+Festival), but as demand from manufacturers for a platform that enables continuous testing and improvement increases, the company has begun to build GiOTEC in earnest.

Major automakers, including Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors, Mercedes-Benz Korea, and BMW Korea, as well as numerous charger manufacturers, have signed agreements to establish testing standards.

GiOTEC provides its members with the ability to deploy their products on its test sites for extended periods of time and freely conduct interoperability testing with products from other manufacturers.

Non-members can also apply for short-term testing. Test results are shared with the manufacturer's consent, and the accumulated data contributes to quality improvement and the establishment of international standards.

As an internationally accredited testing and certification body, KERI guarantees the objectivity and fairness of test results. Furthermore, as the 'No. 1 Electric Vehicle Global Interoperability Conformity Assessment Body' designated by CharIN, KERI has secured international compatibility.

CEO Kim Nam-gyun said, “Since electric vehicles and chargers operate as a single system, interoperability is essential, and GiOTEC will greatly contribute to improving the quality of domestic companies and strengthening their export competitiveness.”

Meanwhile, at the opening ceremony, KERI signed an MOU with EVgo, a US electric vehicle charging service company, strengthening cooperation to improve charging infrastructure quality and facilitate the expansion of Korean companies into the US market. KERI plans to expand its GiOTEC membership and solidify its position as a key leader in the electric vehicle era.