SOLUM and i-charging Forge Alliance to Power Global EV Future

By George Flores

SEOUL, South Korea – December 19, 2025 – In a significant move to accelerate the global transition to electric mobility, South Korean power solutions leader SOLUM and Portuguese charging innovator i-charging have announced a major expansion of their strategic partnership. The collaboration is set to focus on co-developing next-generation products, expanding their global market footprint, and delivering sustainable e-mobility solutions that address the industry's most pressing challenges.

The strengthened alliance was underscored by a recent visit from i-charging's CEO, Pedro Silva, and his leadership team to SOLUM's state-of-the-art manufacturing hub in Vietnam. The visit served not only to solidify future plans but also to highlight the robust production capabilities that form the backbone of this ambitious partnership, reinforcing SOLUM's role as a critical technology partner in the burgeoning EV ecosystem.

The Power Behind the Charge: A Technological Synergy

At the heart of this partnership lies a powerful technological synergy. i-charging, which has already integrated SOLUM's power modules into its latest EV chargers, gains a crucial advantage by tapping into SOLUM's advanced component technology. A spin-off from Samsung Electro-Mechanics, SOLUM has established itself as a leader in high-performance power electronics, a critical element for efficient and reliable EV charging.

SOLUM's power modules are engineered for exceptional performance, boasting an ultra-high efficiency rating of over 96.5%, which minimizes energy loss during the charging process. The company offers a range of modules, including 30kW and 50kW variants, with the latter featuring advanced liquid-cooled bidirectional technology. This not only enhances durability in extreme weather conditions but also enables Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities. V2G functionality allows electric vehicles to act as mobile energy storage units, feeding power back into the grid to help stabilize it during peak demand—a feature increasingly vital for integrating renewable energy sources.

This advanced hardware perfectly complements i-charging's innovative approach to charging station design. Known for its 'blueberry' family of DC fast chargers, i-charging focuses on modularity, scalability, and user experience. Its systems can be scaled from 50kW up to 600kW and feature patent-pending technology for dynamic power allocation. This allows a single station to charge multiple vehicles simultaneously, intelligently distributing power based on each vehicle's needs, thereby optimizing energy use and reducing infrastructure costs. Features like a 32-inch user display and an automated cable management system further differentiate their products in a competitive market.

Manufacturing Muscle in a High-Tech Hub

The decision for i-charging's leadership to tour SOLUM's manufacturing facility in Vietnam was a strategic one. It signifies that this partnership is built not just on shared vision, but on tangible operational strength. SOLUM's Vietnam hub is a testament to the country's rapid ascent as a global center for high-tech manufacturing, a trend that is helping to fuel innovation worldwide.

The facility showcases advanced production capabilities, including intelligent automation for heightened efficiency, precision quality control to ensure product reliability, and a highly scalable manufacturing capacity. In a recent demonstration of its output, the plant shipped a record 6.26 million electronic shelf label units in a single month, a feat made possible by sustained investment in production automation. This level of industrial prowess provides i-charging with a resilient and efficient supply chain, enabling it to bring next-generation chargers to market faster and more reliably.

By leveraging this manufacturing excellence, the partnership can effectively navigate the supply chain complexities that often hinder hardware-focused tech companies. The ability to scale production rapidly is crucial for meeting the explosive demand for EV infrastructure and for executing an aggressive global market expansion strategy.

A 'People-Centered' Vision for a Growing Market

Beyond the technological and operational alignment, both companies emphasize a shared philosophy that they believe sets their collaboration apart. Leaders from SOLUM and i-charging have articulated a vision for 'people-centered innovation,' a concept that prioritizes human connection, trust, and real-world needs in the development of technology.

Pedro Silva, CEO of i-charging, framed the partnership in these terms, stating, "At i-charging, innovation begins with people, and so do partnerships. We are delighted to connect SOLUM, i-charging, and end customers into one partnership built on trust and respect. When technology is created through human connection, it becomes more flexible, more meaningful, and better aligned with real-world needs."

This sentiment was echoed by DongKyun Ryu, EVP and Head of the ANP Solution Biz. Division at SOLUM. "We are pleased to share a common vision with i-charging in pursuing people-centered innovation through this expanded partnership," he added. "Together, we aim to go beyond business growth, creating sustainable, forward-looking solutions driven by human-centered innovation."

In a sector often defined by kilowatts and charging speeds, this focus on human-centric design and partnership ethos could prove to be a powerful differentiator. It suggests a commitment to creating charging solutions that are not just powerful, but also intuitive, reliable, and seamlessly integrated into the daily lives of EV drivers.

Addressing the Global E-Mobility Challenge

The SOLUM-i-charging alliance enters the market at a critical juncture. While EV adoption is accelerating globally, the rollout of adequate charging infrastructure remains a significant bottleneck. Key challenges include high upfront costs, grid limitations, and a fragmented user experience caused by inconsistent standards and network gaps.

This partnership is strategically positioned to address these issues head-on. The combination of SOLUM's V2G-ready power modules and i-charging's smart, dynamic power allocation systems offers a direct response to grid strain. By enabling smarter energy management, their joint solutions can help utilities balance loads and integrate more renewables. Furthermore, the scalability and modularity of i-charging's hardware, backed by SOLUM's mass-production capabilities, provide a cost-effective pathway for expanding charging networks into underserved rural and urban areas.

As the world transitions toward cleaner and smarter mobility, the collaboration between a component specialist like SOLUM and a systems innovator like i-charging represents a powerful model for progress. Their shared commitment to advancing efficient, reliable, and sustainable charging solutions promises to not only strengthen their respective market positions but also play a vital role in building the infrastructure required for the electric future.