BMW Charging Hub Lounge in Seoul / Courtesy of BMW Korea

BMW Korea has launched a new concept for its electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, offering drivers the opportunity to relax in a luxurious lounge while their vehicles are being powered up.

The German automaker unveiled the BMW Charging Hub Lounge in September in downtown Seoul. This facility includes six EV chargers and a dedicated indoor lounge area for relaxation.

Notably, any EV owner, regardless of brand, can charge their vehicles at the lounge. This initiative reflects BMW Korea's commitment to fulfilling its social responsibility to the community, the carmaker said.

One key feature of the lounge is the installation of a series of fire prevention systems designed to ease ongoing concerns over EV fires.

The charging area is equipped with a four-level fire prevention system featuring sprinklers, heat and smoke sensors. When the system detects any signs of fire, it triggers alerts. By the end of this year, the carmaker plans to install a remote-controlled cooling system, enabling a rapid response to any potential fire originating from the charging station.

BMW Charging Hub Lounge's indoor resting venue / Courtesy of BMW Korea

Visitors to the hub lounge can comfortably wait while their vehicles charge. They can monitor charging information via a display located on each charger. The lounge is equipped with luxurious amenities, including massage chairs, smart monitors, and air purifiers.

Anyone is welcome to visit the facility to relax, even if they are not charging their EVs, according to the carmaker.

The high-speed charger, installed at the lounge, was developed by LG Electronics. The Plug & Charge (PnC) service is available at the charger, allowing EV drivers to charge their vehicles and process payment simultaneously by simply connecting the charging cable.

In 2022, BMW Korea formed a partnership with the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) to co-develop the PnC service, making it the first imported automaker to achieve this in the country.

The BMW Charging Hub Lounge operates from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and the charging station is open year-round.

As of the end of September, the carmaker installed 1,600 EV chargers across the nation and plans to raise the figure to 2,100 by the end of this year.