The On-line Electric Vehicle (OLEV), created and developed by KAIST, has embarked at last on a full-fledged expansion into the U.S. market.

On September 24, KAIST President Nam Pyo Suh visited Park City, Utah to meet with representatives from the Energy Dynamics Lab (EDL), an affiliated research institute of Utah State University, with which KAIST signed a Letter of Intent for the promotion of OLEV technology last August. During his stay, President Suh conferred with the EDL about the details regarding application of OLEV technology in the local market, as well as the designing of pilot projects to demonstrate the adaptability of OLEV technology within Park City.

As a result, KAIST and EDL have mutually agreed that OLEV technology would be provided by KAIST, while systems establishment would be jointly performed by both parties. Additional topics for discussion included the standards and certification process within Utah State, response to the conditions of a changing external environment, space for installation of electric chargers, supplying of mechanical parts and electricity, and further business plans.

Previously, EDL proposed the employment of contactless recharging technology developed by KAIST in test-run programs, through the “Wireless Advances Vehicle Electrification” (WAVE) project presented to the Council of Park City, world-famous for hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics. The council approved the proposal by unanimous consent.

It is estimated that this project will cost a total of about three to five billion Korean won. To secure this budget, KAIST plans on requesting financial support from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and out of federal research funds in addition to the initial fund granted by Park City, and to contact private and corporate investors through the creation of a consensus.

To carry out this plan, KAIST and EDL met with Bryan Miller, owner of the professional basketball franchise Utah Jazz and proprietor of the Motor Sports Park, and introduced the OLEV. Miller commended the technological level achieved by KAIST that could be freely commercialized and earnestly revealed his intention to invest in the project.

President Suh has also met with the Park City Mayor Dana Williams, with whom he participated in a trial-ride of the diesel-driven trolley in Park City. Mayor Williams emphasized her eagerness to adopt the OLEV as part of introducing green technology into Park City.

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