KATECH to launch eco-friendly commercial vehicle testing infrastructure

The Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH) will complete the construction of South Korea’s largest and only specialized evaluation infrastructure for eco-friendly commercial vehicles in October. Located in the Changwon National Industrial Complex expansion zone, this 19.9 billion won project aims to support domestic component companies in achieving technological independence and accelerating commercialization.

The facility provides an integrated testing system for large-scale electric and hydrogen commercial vehicle drive systems, covering everything from individual components to complete powertrains. Key equipment includes multi-axis power generation and transmission testers, high-output and high-torque component testers, and hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS) systems that mimic real-world driving conditions. Additionally, environmental chambers will test durability under extreme temperatures ranging from -50 to 180 degrees Celsius.

By providing these high-cost testing capabilities, KATECH intends to reduce the development burden and costs for domestic suppliers. The infrastructure is designed to help companies meet the rigorous standards of overseas vehicle manufacturers in Europe and the United States, enhancing their competitiveness in the global future mobility market.