South Korean Co. Opens New EV Charger Manufacturing Facility in Plano, Its First in U.S.

South Korean company SK Signet has opened a new EV charger manufacturing facility in Plano, where it will manufacture ultra-fast chargers to support the growing base of electric vehicle owners in the U.S.

The manufacturing facility is SK Signet’s first in the United States. Dallas Innovates wrote about the project when it was announced in November by SK Signet and the city of Plano.

To mark the grand opening, company officials were joined by Plano Mayor John Muns as well as Adriana Cruz, executive director of Texas Economic Development & Tourism, and other officials from the State of Texas.

Up to 183 ‘new jobs for Texas’—and 10,000 ultra-fast chargers per year

SK Signet CEO Jung Ho Shin addresses the crowd of government and business partners at the grand opening Monday in Plano. [Photo: SK Signet]

“SK Signet is thrilled to be opening this facility in Texas,” SK Signet CEO Jung Ho Shin said in a statement. “The opening of the SK Signet factory means new jobs for Texas and more chargers for American EV owners. We couldn’t have accomplished this without the close partnership of the State of Texas and the city of Plano.”

At full capacity, the facility will be able to produce more than 10,000 ultra-fast chargers per year and is expected to create up to 183 jobs by 2026.

Event attendees were given a factory tour, and Muns and Seung-June Oh, president of SK Signet America, led a demonstration of SK Signet’s new V2 charger, which will be made at the Plano facility later this year.

The V2 product, which was unveiled at CES 2023, provides a maximum power output of 400 kW and can charge an EV up to 80% in 15 minutes, which is 3 minutes faster than existing chargers, the company said. The demonstration showcased the simultaneous charging of two EVs, reaching the top output of 400 kW.

Facility will also house R&D teams, develop EV charging software and firmware, and more

Adriana Cruz, executive director for Texas Economic Development & Tourism, cuts the ribbon to mark the opening of the SK Signet manufacturing facility in Plano. [Photo: SK Signet]

The grand opening was attended by more than 180 guests, including business partners, government officials. and members of the local community. SK Signet also welcomed representatives from key customers, such as EVgo, Electrify America, Applegreen Electric, Electric Era, Revel, and TeraWatt Infrastructure.

SK Signet said it will manufacture a range of ultra-fast chargers at the Plano facility — from standalone dispensers to power cabinets that support multiple dispensers — for use by U.S.-based public charging operators, along with commercial companies with EV fleets and traditional gas stations or convenience stores that want to offer charging stations.

SK Signet said it also will manufacture its 350 kW ultra-fast charger, which can fully charge EV batteries from 20% to 80% in just 18 minutes.

The chargers contribute to building a national EV charging network and support the goals of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, the company said.

“We’re very excited for the grand opening of SK Signet in the City of Plano,” Muns during his remarks at the event. “Their investment in our community represents a significant milestone that holds immense promise for our community and beyond. The company’s innovative technology and EV charging capabilities are remarkable, and we’re thrilled to be home to their first manufacturing facility in the United States.”

SK Signet said the Plano facility will also house R&D teams, manufacture power modules for EV chargers, conduct charger testing with automakers, and develop EV charging software and firmware to support U.S. customers.

SK Signet is based in South Korea and has its U.S. headquarters in McLean, Virginia.