Media Report

Founded in 1972, Phihong Technology celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. In late 2021, Phihong became a global supplier of charging equipment for Shell and received an NT$1.51 billion investment from Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC). Phihong is developing a 720kW charging system and is actively pursuing multiple international partnerships.

 

Phihong is introducing a range of fourth-generation products at the 2022 Taipei AMPA show to mark this milestone. These innovations include integrated charging station technology, automotive electronics solutions, and green manufacturing practices, supporting Phihong’s ESG and carbon-neutral strategies to establish a global presence in the EV charging station market. Several EV charging solutions drew particular attention at AMPA’s automotive electronics exhibition:

 

Outdoor Charging Station Media Charger

The “Media Charger” aims to increase charging stations’ usage and economic benefits. This outdoor charging station incorporates an advertisement display, with screens available in multiple sizes (45”, 55”, 65”) and a dual-sided design for improved brand visibility and media promotion. Practical and stable, the Media Charger provides EV charging services and serves as a dynamic advertising platform with a distinctive brand presence.

 

Fourth-Generation Dual-Gun DC Charging Station

Designed to meet EV owners’ need for fast charging, the fourth-generation dual-gun DC charging station offers efficient quick-charging capabilities, an improved cable management system, and a compact form allowing flexible installation in parking lots. It can be customized with LED light strips, different screen sizes (7”, 15”, 21”), dynamic DC power sharing, customizable UI, and various payment options.

 

Separate Charger

The Separate Charger is a modular charging solution that aims to achieve carbon neutrality through innovative design and green technology integration. Ideal for large open spaces and urban planning, this charging station features an open center area for greenery, landscaping, or solar integration, promoting a more environmentally friendly option for future urban living.

 

Depot Charger for Electric Buses

The “Depot Charger” enables overhead charging for electric buses via a 5-meter-high pantograph. This modular system is compatible with universal charging standards, and the charging track on the bus roof allows for automatic, hands-free charging. The system is highly scalable, allowing the expansion of charging islands based on customer needs. Due to space limitations at the exhibition, Phihong also provided a touchscreen display, allowing visitors to explore additional products and customize materials and colors for an interactive experience.

 

In recent years, Phihong’s dedication to environmental sustainability has earned the company numerous awards, including the Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Award Silver Award in 2016, Gold Award in 2018, EcoVadis Silver Award for CSR in 2020, and the Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Gold Award and Taiwan Ministry of Labor’s Talent Quality Management System Bronze Award in 2020.

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In January 2022, Phihong Technology reported revenue exceeding NT$1.14 billion, representing a 20.61% year-over-year growth. Phihong continues to expand its customer base for charging station products, focusing on collaborations with international automakers such as Audi, Volvo, and Jaguar, as well as global and local leaders in the fossil fuel industry. Since December 2021, Phihong has been supplying charging stations to Shell for global distribution, covering regions such as Europe, North America, and Hong Kong and even reaching as far as South America. In 2021, Phihong partnered with Audi to build ultra-fast charging stations around Taiwan. Currently, 70% of Phihong’s business comes from the European and American markets, and the company is committed to further expanding its EV ecosystem infrastructure.

 

In an interview in early January, Phihong Group General Manager Lin Yang-Hong stated that the group’s 2022 strategy will focus heavily on overseas markets. He cited the recent collaboration with cement industry leader Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC) as an example, noting that TCC’s subsidiary, Taiwan Cement Europe Holdings (TCEH), acquired Italy’s ENGIE EPS SA in July 2021, positioning itself as an international EV charging station supplier. Lin views this as a promising opportunity to develop business abroad.

Lin Yang-Hong, General Manager of Phihong Technology Group. Photo by Fu Shi-Min.

 

Lin remarked that the “soul of electricity lies in the global market.” He explained that while Taiwan could be a testing ground for EVs, its small market makes it an ideal place to refine technologies. Once Taiwanese manufacturers have gained sufficient experience, they aggressively pursue overseas expansion. For Phihong, now is the time to enhance its global presence, with a primary goal of expanding its overseas markets.

 

Phihong is employing two main strategies to support its global expansion:

First, Phihong has integrated into Shell’s supply chain, the world’s second-largest fossil fuel company, and has become a global supplier of charging equipment for Shell. Shell has shifted its focus toward renewable energy in recent years, transforming its gas stations in the UK into multi-functional charging hubs to expand the EV charging network.

 

Second, Lin explained that collaboration with car manufacturers is not the primary strategy. He asked, “Which car company builds gas stations or charging stations? So why would a car manufacturer focus on charging infrastructure?” The main goal of automakers is to sell vehicles, and having accessible charging is crucial for EV adoption. When asked about Phihong’s primary customer base as it enters the global market, Lin and Phihong’s EV Energy Business Group Director Yang Wei-Chieh responded, “We are currently in discussions with multiple companies across various industries.”

 

This approach highlights customization as one of Phihong’s key advantages. Yang explained that Taiwanese manufacturers have expertise in Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) and Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM), which also enables customization. Phihong initially produced customized charging stations for electric bus manufacturers and held a 90% market share with electric bus maker Master Transportation before Master was acquired by Thinktronics, which subsequently developed its own charging stations. Phihong discovered a successful strategy through customization, also serving as an entry point into the passenger EV charging market.

 

In recent years, Phihong has collaborated with software startup Noodoe to develop tailored charging stations for well-known amusement parks in North America, including Disneyland and Universal Studios.

 

Since launching its electric bus charging systems in 2013, Phihong has gradually entered the international passenger EV charging station market, transitioning from customized solutions to standard products. Nine years later, Phihong stands as Asia’s first provider of ultra-fast 360kW charging solutions. It aims to make a mark in the EV ecosystem by offering customized solutions for diverse locations and aggressively expanding its global footprint, solidifying its position as a leading EV technology provider from Taiwan.

Phihong Technology reported revenue of over NT$1.24 billion in December 2021, marking a 41% increase compared to the same period last year. This impressive revenue growth is coupled with the continued expansion of its customer base for charging station products. In late December 2021, Shell, the world’s second-largest fossil fuel company, officially announced its partnership with Phihong Technology, making Phihong a global supplier of charging equipment for Shell. Deliveries of Phihong charging stations have now begun worldwide. Shell is actively transforming its gas stations into EV charging stations, opening the first Shell Recharge charging station in Hong Kong. This station features two 120kW DC fast chargers, which can charge most EVs from 10% to 80% in 40 to 55 minutes, while newer models can be charged in as little as 25 minutes. Phihong’s 360kW fast-charging technology, a critical component of Shell’s charging infrastructure, has become a focal point in the market.

 

Growing Demand for Charging Stations Worldwide: Phihong Expands in the European and American Markets

As Shell announced plans to expand its EV charging network across the UK by converting gas stations into multi-functional charging hubs, it is extending its charging station installations globally. Phihong commented that European oil giants are increasingly venturing into the public EV charging station sector. As of 2020, fast chargers accounted for 13% of public charging stations, with over 286,000 stations globally and growing. With 50 years of power supply design and development expertise, Phihong currently derives 70% of its business from the European and American markets. Phihong highlighted that it is the first in Asia to achieve 360kW charging capabilities with standardized and customizable options. This ultra-fast charger can bring diversity to the U.S. economy and incorporates green manufacturing, aligning with carbon-neutral business strategies.

 

Accelerating Global Charging Network Construction with Shell

In response to the increasing demand and market for EV charging, Phihong Technology is incorporating cloud and data solutions to expand its presence in Europe and the United States, entering the global market for EV charging stations. Regarding its collaboration with Shell and global charging station expansion, Phihong stated that it will tailor its solutions to meet Shell Group’s global charging infrastructure and green energy transition requirements, joining forces to capture the EV charging and energy markets.

 

News Sources: The News Lens, INSIDE

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For electric vehicle users, “EV READY” symbolizes reliability and assurance. When a charging station displays this mark, it signifies that the product is safe and delivers excellent charging performance. With the support of Bureau Veritas, Phihong Technology in Taiwan has officially obtained the “EV READY” certification, ensuring the highest quality charging stations for the electric vehicle industry.

 

“EV READY” is an international third-party certification for EV charging facilities. Renault-Nissan initiated it and includes organizations and participants from across the EV industry, including vehicle manufacturers, charging station producers, installers, operators, standardization bodies, and third-party laboratories. ASEFA currently authorizes the certification mark.

 

Compared to other certification marks for charging stations, “EV READY” is more comprehensive and has a higher threshold. It encompasses not only the production of charging stations but also their installation and setup. As a result, achieving this certification is challenging and requires extensive verification time.

 

Bureau Veritas offers a complete range of testing and certification services in Taiwan to assist companies entering the charging station market in obtaining the “EV READY” certification more efficiently. These services help companies progress towards certification based on their specific needs, with the certification ceremony in Phihong as a prime example.

 

Regarding the successful “EV READY” certification achieved through collaboration with Bureau Veritas, Phihong’s General Manager of the EV Energy Business Unit, Lin Feihong, stated that professionalism, quality, service, efficiency, and cost are Phihong’s top priorities when selecting a laboratory. With its internationally recognized testing facilities, Bureau Veritas complies with various regulatory standards and testing requirements and has proven experience with EV products in certified regions.

 

Lin further emphasized that Bureau Veritas has skilled engineers who provide Phihong with consulting services during the initial design phase. This ensures that the design meets standards from the outset, thus avoiding repeated modifications that could increase design costs and slow down the certification process. Additionally, Bureau Veritas has an exceptional project management system and complete safety certification services (including EMC, RF, and EV ready), enabling clients to achieve certification with minimal samples and streamlined procedures.

 

Pascal LE RAY, General Manager of the Electronics, Automotive, and Wireless division at Bureau Veritas Taiwan, stated that their primary mission is to support clients by helping them successfully sell their products both in Taiwan and internationally. Therefore, Bureau Veritas offers extensive services in Taiwan, including testing and certification, to provide real support to clients.

 

With the rapid growth of the 5G, IoT, and EV markets, Pascal expressed optimism about the upcoming demand for certification services. He noted that Bureau Veritas has developed a comprehensive range of certification support services at its service centers to assist clients in expanding their automotive and IoT-related businesses.

 

Information security is also closely linked to these sectors, and Bureau Veritas has already deployed cybersecurity services. Based on this foundation, the company plans to strengthen its certification and testing services further.

 

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Foxconn’s open platform alliance for electric vehicles, the “MIH Alliance,” has received applications from 201 potential partners. On the 20th, Foxconn unveiled a logo wall showcasing 124 confirmed members, including major IC design companies such as MediaTek, Sunplus, and Phison. Autonomous driving startup Tier IV, backed by Quanta, has joined the autonomous vehicle system group to define software application layer requirements.

 

Foxconn’s MIH Alliance quickly attracted 201 companies within just over two months, with 124 of these companies already having signed contracts. On the 20th, Foxconn displayed its logos on a wall, demonstrating the interest of leading EV companies in staying up-to-date with the MIH Alliance’s progress. Foxconn stated that the remaining 77 companies are still in negotiations and signing stages, with future updates expected.

 

Several traditional automotive suppliers were among the first to join the MIH Alliance, including Cheng Shin Rubber, Full-Run Rubber, Hota Industrial, Lioho Machine Works, Tong Yang, Yeong Guan, and Yeong Jinn. Major electronics companies such as MediaTek, Phison, Sunplus, Delta Electronics, Lite-On, and M31 have also joined, along with prominent international companies led by Qualcomm, STMicroelectronics, and Texas Instruments. Key component suppliers include Advantech, Phihong, AcBel, Ta Ya, THT, Canon, and L&K Engineering. Notable global automotive companies have also joined, including the internationally renowned drivetrain manufacturer DANA, which has over 115 years of experience in automotive drivetrains, serving customers across the U.S., Europe, and Japan with transmissions, low and high-voltage motors, inverters, controllers, and thermal management solutions. Foxconn indicated that DANA’s involvement would bring advanced solutions to the MIH open platform.

 

Eaton, a global leader in energy management technology founded in 1911, is also a member. Foxconn stated that Eaton’s presence in 175 countries and its ongoing commitment to power transportation technology will provide MIH platform users with more reliable, efficient, safe power, hydraulic, and mechanical power management solutions. In terms of testing, certification, and regulatory compliance, Taiwan’s SGS-CCS and Germany’s TÜV Rheinland will collaborate to establish unified standards, as well as offer relevant training and certification services, ensuring that MIH’s component and system developers meet international standards, such as IATF 16949 and ISO 26262 functional safety certifications.

 

For software applications, MIH will provide AWS cloud services and integrate CarOTA’s advanced computing technology to minimize packet size, delivering a secure, reliable one-stop solution for over-the-air (OTA) upgrades and remote diagnostics.

 

In developing advanced Level 4 and above autonomous vehicle technology, the Japanese startup Tier IV (backed by Quanta), AutoCore, and ADLINK have formed an autonomous driving system team with specific roles. Foxconn indicated that Tier IV would define software application layer requirements, AutoCore would design the computing platform, and ADLINK would provide hardware and communication modules. The MIH platform’s mission is to foster collaboration in the EV sector, implement critical technologies, and establish testing and certification standards, leveraging the strengths of alliance members to achieve complementary advantages, reduce development costs, and accelerate development timelines. The first “EV Kit” developer toolkit from the MIH platform is scheduled for release in January 2021, providing software communication interfaces and hardware system architecture, including full-speed wire control for EV platforms, open communication protocols, and CAN architecture. Global developers can pre-order the toolkit in February, with deliveries beginning in late April.

 

In the future, the toolkit will allow system developers to confirm and test advanced EV vehicle functions, including drive-by-wire, autonomous driving, and IVI systems. The toolkit will also support complete vehicle, system, or individual technical services with an expandable and customizable electronic architecture, including various autonomous driving components for users.

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Source: Economic Daily News

Founded in 1972, Phihong Technology is a leading power supply manufacturer recognized by globally renowned clients. With a strong focus on developing high-efficiency power supplies and world-class energy conversion technology, Phihong has strategically invested in the electric vehicle (EV) charging station market, foreseeing the industry’s future growth. For over seven years, Phihong has been developing charging station equipment, gaining early access to regulatory updates through its membership in international EV organizations. This proactive approach allows Phihong to tailor its product designs closely to the needs of end-users and automobile manufacturers. Since 2018, Phihong has expanded into the European and American markets, securing business partnerships with leading automakers across Europe, the Americas, and China.

 

Phihong’s breakthrough into the Taiwanese market began in October 2019 with a collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover Taiwan, supplying home wall-mounted chargers for the Jaguar I-PACE, Jaguar’s first all-electric performance SUV. In this new partnership with Audi’s electric SUV, the e-tron, Phihong has teamed up with Noodoe to establish an extensive charging network, capturing opportunities in the EV charging solutions market. This collaboration aims to enhance EV infrastructure across Taiwan, offering convenient charging solutions that include home and portable chargers and establishing “Audi High-Speed Charging Stations.” Six EV fast-charging stations are scheduled for completion by the end of the year, covering key locations such as Taipei, New Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. To incentivize Audi owners, generous charging credits are redeemable at Audi dealerships or Noodoe EV public charging stations. On December 9, Audi Taiwan will officially launch the Audi e-tron, its first fully electric model in Taiwan. At the event, Matthias Schepers, President of Volkswagen Group Taiwan and Audi, will join Dr. Doong Lee, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Association, John Wang, Chairman of Noodoe, and Yang Wei-Chieh, Head of Phihong Technology’s EV Energy Business Group, to discuss the current and future development of an EV-friendly environment from various perspectives.

 

Phihong’s EV charger was designed as a product series with standout features, including a 360kW charger, the highest power output in Taiwan. The central control unit’s hardware and software are self-designed, with a cloud platform fully integrated with European and American backend systems. Phihong offers AC and DC products tailored to diverse needs, from home and commercial applications to vehicles ranging from compact cars to buses. In addition to hardware, Phihong provides complementary software, delivering a comprehensive solution for end customers rather than a single product type. Focused on a B2B service model, Phihong provides after-sales training and certification to agents, distributors, and brand teams worldwide, enhancing customer satisfaction with efficient support. The modular design of Phihong’s standard products also allows for high customization to meet specific customer needs.

 

In recent years, Phihong has expanded its network across northern, central, and southern Taiwan, establishing charging stations in major public parking lots to offer EV drivers a reliable and comprehensive charging infrastructure. This initiative raises the visibility of Phihong’s products and reinforces the company’s commitment to green energy and environmental responsibility as part of its corporate social responsibility mission.

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