The shift to electric vehicles (EV) is not about just following the trend. It is a necessity. As the world transitions to a greener future, pushing for cleaner and efficient transportation requires adequate infrastructure that supports it. What will guide this evolution? Perhaps, it begins with the data.

KDI School's Sustainable Development Lab, led by Professor Yeong Jae Kim, partnered with TBU (Technology Beyond Utilities) Inc., under the leadership of CEO Sangjin Baek, to establish a research-backed framework for effective electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure planning. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on February 4 (Wednesday) at the KDI School, marks the beginning of a joint research project that will leverage EV charging data in developing policies and improving efficiency of EV infrastructure services. The partnership offers considerable opportunities to KDI School, its students, policymakers and the broader community committed to advancing a cleaner and more sustainable future.

[Professor Yeong Jae Kim of KDI School (left) signing the MOU with CEO Sangjin Baek of TBU Inc. (right)]

“There is an existing knowledge gap concerning EV infrastructure use and optimization not only in South Korea, but also worldwide,” explained Professor Kim, Associate Professor of Energy Policy and Environmental Economics at KDI School. As the world turns to EV to reduce harmful emissions and address climate change, the development of reliable charging infrastructure becomes essential to support this transition. However, available data on these facilities remains fragmented or outdated, limiting the value of existing empirical studies. This significant lack of information poses challenges for effective policymaking and impedes decision-making, particularly on infrastructure investments.  

[Professor Yeong Jae Kim presents his research on electric vehicle charging patterns]

To address these concerns, the partnership initiated the research project, “Electric Vehicle Charging and Off-Peak Demand Response: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment.” This project aims to evaluate off-peak charging patterns by analyzing real-time user data collected from Elecvery, an AI-powered EV charging platform developed by the company. TBU Inc. is an emerging innovator and leader in software and artificial intelligence technologies based in Seoul, South Korea. With Elecvery integrating charging station data and intelligent charging search functionality in its interface, EV charging becomes more accessible and convenient for its users. The study, therefore, draws on data obtained from this app to identify the consumer charging patterns and trends across various provinces and cities throughout South Korea, revealing significant implications for future planning of EV charging infrastructure and related policies.

The project offers promising insights for policy makers and other stakeholders, enabling them to align infrastructure development with actual EV usage patterns and optimize resource utilization. Understanding EV charging behaviors, such as the peak use of residential chargers in the evening helps create targeted demand-response strategies, such as time-of-use pricing and other financial incentives to encourage off-peak charging behavior. Through these interventions, the government and energy providers can prevent power grid congestion, blackouts and improve energy utilization and efficiency. As the Korean government’s EV infrastructure and vehicle purchasing initiatives continue to gain traction, these timely findings present an opportunity for the public sector, residential and housing administrators, and other stakeholders to design and implement more targeted measures that match the current usage trends and infrastructure needs of users.

Research is at the heart of innovation in public policy innovation at KDI School. For decades, the institution has played a significant role in sharing South Korea’s unique economic and social development stories with the global community. KDI School students can benefit significantly from this collaboration, many of whom are poised to take on leadership roles in public administration, civil service, and policy development, can benefit significantly from this collaboration. For students interested in urban planning, energy policy, and sustainable development, this partnership offers access to knowledge about recent EV technology developments, insights into public infrastructure optimization in the Korean context, and a unique opportunity to contribute to the global discussion on sustainable energy and climate change solutions. 

With ongoing research, Professor Kim believes that the partnership between TBU Inc. and KDI School will lead to better and more efficient EV infrastructure, benefiting South Korea and serving as a model for the rest of the world. KDI School is focused on strengthening its position as a leader in policy research by working with industry leaders, academic institutions, and policymakers. This partnership reinforces the message that solutions come from collaboration and synergy, not isolation. With mutual trust and a shared commitment to sustainable development, KDI School and TBU Inc. look forward to continuing this meaningful journey as partners, and work towards advancing more sustainable transportation systems and infrastructure in the future.