Kia and Hyundai source wind energy to power charging networks

South Korean sibling automakers Hyundai and Kia have made separate investments and agreements to ensure that their customers can charging needs will be matched with 100% renewable energy generated by wind turbines.

Hyundai says that it will integrate green energy into its Charge myHyundai network using the green charging option provided by e-mobility service provider Digital Charging Solutions (DCS) and the purchase of ‘Guarantee of Origin’ (GO) certificates to match energy for every charging session on its network.

“Hyundai is among the first OEMs to offer green public charging in Europe,” said Michael Cole, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe. Hyundai will rely on Guarantees of Origin to match energy for every charging session on its Charge myHyundai network.

Kia will also partner with DCS and purchases GO certificates to ensure that all charging on its European Kia Charge charging network will be matched  with 100% renewable electricity.

In both cases, Hyundai and Kia will specify that electricity fed back into the grid to match their charging usage will be sourced from European wind farms.

“By pushing more green energy into the grid, we can increase the energy mix in favour of more sustainable sources,” said Jason Jeong, president of Kia Europe.

“In time, we hope to be part of a wider network that can work directly with renewable energy suppliers that offer customers 100 per cent green charging facilities. However, until there is absolutely no grey energy on the grid, this latest action is a firm step in the right direction.”