사진 확대

SK Signet Inc., the electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions unit of South Korea’s SK Group, has won its first order from TeraWatt Infrastructure, a U.S. unicorn startup engaged in the development of EV charging stations, a move that will help expand its overseas presence.

SK Signet said on Monday that it signed its first agreement with TeraWatt Infrastructure and established a long-term partnership. Details on the financial terms were not disclosed.

TeraWatt Infrastructure – founded by Neha Palmer, former head of energy strategy at Google LLC – is emerging as a major provider of EV charging stations in the U.S.

TeraWatt Infrastructure executives visited Korea in July last year and checked the technical ability of SK Signet at a charging station installed with its chargers. The U.S. startup launched talks with SK Signet in January this year after conducting working-level discussions and due diligence.

TeraWatt Infrastructure joined hands with SK Signet in line with its project to install super-fast charging stations every 80 kilometers on U.S. highways.

The U.S. government has recently decided to apply the “Buy American” Act that requires a certain percentage of U.S.-made parts to be applied to EV chargers to qualify for tax credit. It added more requirements, such as that vehicle assembly should be done in the U.S. and U.S. steel should be used in external cases.

EV charger manufacturers are rushing to establish a local supply chain by securing external steel parts and manufacturers.

SK Signet has launched discussions and due diligence with case manufacturers in the U.S. to respond swiftly to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

“We plan to gain the upper hand quickly in the U.S. EV charger market as we have secured the production facility and supply chain,” said Park Heung-joon, head of marketing at SK Signet.