LG Business Solutions USA announced that the LG 11kW Level 2 AC EV charger model EVW011SK-SN has been certified to UL 2594, the UL Standard for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, and to the EVSE Program Requirements for ENERGY STAR, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s energy and performance standard.
Per a statement, the UL certification process tests various aspects of electronic devices to confirm that a product complies with the specified requirements of these safety standards. The UL 2594 listing is specific to AC-powered electric vehicle charging devices. Moreover, it follows a process that includes environmental cycling at extreme temperatures; tests for ground fault protection and circuitry; and includes other intensive stress tests to verify real-world performance.
“Achieving UL 2594 certification underscores LG’s commitment to meeting required regulations,” says Milan Dotlich, vice president and general manager of UL Solutions’ Energy and Industrial Automation group. “As electric vehicle demand continues to surge, we are proud to collaborate with those helping fuel EV adoption and working toward a safer, more sustainable world.”
Additional Certifications
Furthermore, certification to Version 1.2 ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment means the LG EV charger saves energy when in standby mode (roughly 85% of the time that they are plugged in). As a result, it reduces energy waste and charging costs, according to the EPA. ENERGY STAR EV chargers use industry network communication standards, says LG. This means they are capable of working with a wide variety of other devices. These include wi-fi routers and electric utility energy management systems.
“As electric vehicles contribute to the nation’s clean energy future, using an energy efficient, ENERGY STAR certified electric car charger adds to the environmental benefits and cost savings,” adds Ann Bailey, products director, U.S Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR. “If all EV chargers sold in the U.S. met ENERGY STAR requirements, the savings in energy costs would grow to more than $17 million, and 280 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions would be avoided.”
Main Features of LG EV Charger
According to LG, when launched in the U.S., the 240V AC charger will offer owners variable power output from 3.8kW up to 11.5kW using an SAE J1772-type connector. Owners will thus be able to quickly and easily set up charging services through their choice of network providers, language settings, speaker volume, maximum current and load management. Audio guides will also be available in English, Spanish and French.
For users, the unit will feature a convenient LED panel with several features. For instance, it displays charging power, elapsed time, energy delivered, estimated costs and written instructions for proper use.
LG says the EVW011SK-SN charger is one of the initial models in LG’s charger lineup. Some of these also offer owners the ability to generate secondary revenue streams through integrated screens with advertising capabilities. Per the company, the 11kW Level 2 charger is also being evaluated for compliance with California’s revenue metering standards that help assure accurate billing and measurement of power delivery.
Future of EV Charging Stations
LG’s imminent entry into the EV charging station market supports the momentum behind both public and private investment in charging stations by providing high-performance chargers at various price points and power levels, according to Michael Kosla, senior vice president, LG Business Solutions USA.
“As the use of EVs continues to grow amid the nationwide electrification movement; LG [remains] committed to supporting an easy-to-use charging infrastructure for the vehicles of tomorrow,” Kosla adds. “Each certification takes us another step closer to launching our first North American electric vehicle chargers, which aim to offer property and vehicle owners a variety of charging options. [These range] from affordable Level 2 AC chargers to powerful Level 3 DC fast chargers with integrated advertising displays that offer additional revenue opportunities.”
