S. Korean auto parts maker to develop battery charger for eco-friendly cars

Mando Corp., a leading South Korean auto parts maker, said Monday that it has signed a contract with Japan’s Diamond Electric Co. to develop a battery charger for eco-friendly vehicles.

The deal will enable Mando to develop a battery charger for plug-in hybrid electric cars and obtain the technology to make electronic control units (ECUs), Mando officials said. ECU is a generic term for any embedded system that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a motor vehicle.

Currently, eco-friendly vehicles are divided into three categories - hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles.

Global demand for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles is expected to reach 10.34 million units and 13.74 million units by 2030, respectively, according to 2012 reports.

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com