Hyundai Motor Group signs MOU with government to build Plug and Charge certification system

Hyundai Motor Group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy and the Korea Environment Corporation on Monday at Lucky Conference in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to build a domestic electric vehicle Plug and Charge (PnC) certification system. The company also agreed to transfer its PnC certification technology and rights to the ministry at no cost, it announced Tuesday.

The signing ceremony was attended by Hyundai Motor Group EV Infrastructure Strategy Division head Jung Gyu-won, Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy decarbonization and green transport innovation division chief Park Pan-gyu, and Korea Environment Corporation eco-friendly mobility department head Hong Cheol-gyu, along with other officials.

PnC is an international standard technology that automatically handles the entire process — from membership authentication to charging and payment — simply by connecting a charging cable to an electric vehicle.

Unlike conventional EV charging, which requires a membership card or credit card, PnC applies an encrypted authentication method between the vehicle and the charger, allowing customers a safer and more convenient charging experience.

Until now, PnC authentication methods have varied across automakers and charging operators, causing significant inconvenience for customers and hindering wider adoption of the technology. The MOU aims to address those inconveniences for domestic EV customers and expand PnC technology to a broader range of charging stations.

As a first step, Hyundai Motor Group will transfer to the ministry, free of charge, the PnC certificates and certificate-issuance authority it has operated since 2021.

The Korea Environment Corporation will then build a government-integrated authentication system so that anyone can use the certification framework and technology.

The Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy will manage and support the integrated system to ensure it operates efficiently.

Through this arrangement, customers driving Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis vehicles — as well as those with domestic and imported electric vehicles equipped with the technology — and a wide range of charging operators are expected to benefit from a standardized PnC system, contributing to broader EV adoption in South Korea.

"We are transferring the technology at no cost so that every EV customer in South Korea can enjoy a more convenient charging experience," a Hyundai Motor Group official said. "We will do our utmost to help South Korea build world-class EV infrastructure based on Hyundai Motor Group's technology."

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group recently completed the rollout of PnC technology in partnership with Chaevi, the country's top private fast-charging operator, and has begun offering PnC service at Chaevi stations nationwide as part of its broader push to improve charging convenience for customers.