LG Energy Solution Ltd.’s in-house venture KooRoo announced Tuesday that it has completed the trial operation of its battery swap service (BSS) for electric two-wheelers and is officially launching the service.

KooRoo aims to provide a service where the discharged batteries of electric two-wheelers can be exchanged for fully charged ones.

The company plans to expand its operations, with a focus on the thriving delivery sector, where commercial use of two-wheelers is prevalent.

By offering a battery swap that takes just 20 seconds, compared to the 2-3 hours required for full charging, KooRoo enhances operational efficiency, particularly benefiting delivery riders.

The company emphasized that its trial service has garnered attention for its high convenience among delivery riders.

According to KooRoo, about 70 percent of participants in trial programs for delivery riders since the end of last year expressed a desire to switch to paid memberships.

Participants highlighted advantages such as minimal noise, reduced emissions, and well-accessed BSS locations.

One of KooRoo’s key competitive advantages lies in cost savings. A conventional two-wheeler incurs about 470,000 won ($350) per month, including fuel costs and insurance, for a daily commute of 125 km.

In contrast, KooRoo’s unlimited monthly subscription plan, priced at 110,000 won, cuts this cost to half to 230,000 won.

In terms of user convenience, KooRoo allows users to check facility congestion and make battery swap reservations through its mobile application before visiting a BSS station.

After the initial authentication, users can subsequently swap batteries without additional verification.

KooRoo’s BSS is currently operational in the southern areas of Seoul, particularly in regions like Gwanak and Dongjak, where delivery demand is high, with around 180 BSS units in operation.

The BSS units are strategically placed in accessible locations such as convenience stores and supermarkets. Considering user convenience, the average distance between swap stations is a mere 1 km.

KooRoo plans to expand its BSS network to 400 units across the entire Seoul area this year and aims to reach 1,000 units in the metropolitan area by 2025.

By Kim Hee-su and Minu Kim

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