Exemption of Parking Fees for Electric Vehicle Charging...Kwonikwi Recommends System Improvement

Recommendation for Eco-friendly Vehicle Policy Improvements to Ministry of Industry and Local Governments

Ordinance Improvements by Local Governments by February Next Year
Unified Standards for Charging Facility Inspections

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] In the future, drivers who enter parking lots to charge eco-friendly vehicles are expected to be exempt from parking fees. Signs prohibiting parking of regular vehicles in charging zones will also be installed.

On the 25th, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced that it has prepared a "Plan to Enhance Convenience for Eco-Friendly Vehicle Users" and recommended improvements to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and local governments. However, even if the relevant institutions do not accept the commission's recommendations, there is no legal enforcement method.

The commission explained that many users have complained about inconveniences due to the lack of institutional support.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Vehicle Management Information System, the number of registered eco-friendly vehicles in Korea increased from 339,134 in 2017 to 601,048 last year.

Since the enforcement of the amended Eco-Friendly Vehicle Act in September 2018, public facilities with 100 or more parking spaces have prohibited parking of regular vehicles in charging zones. It is also subject to enforcement if objects are stacked in charging zones to obstruct charging.

However, it has been pointed out that many public facilities frequently used by the general public, such as health centers, have fewer than 100 parking spaces, creating institutional limitations that prevent enforcement under current regulations.

Regarding the installation of signs prohibiting parking in eco-friendly vehicle charging zones, there is no provision in the current law, and complaints requesting the installation of such signs have been continuous.

Therefore, the commission recommended that by February next year, local governments unify enforcement standards within eco-friendly vehicle charging facilities, which currently vary by region.

It also recommended that local governments improve related ordinances to exempt parking fees for those who visit parking lots for the purpose of charging eco-friendly vehicles.

To the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, it recommended amending related laws to include public facilities with fewer than 100 parking spaces in the enforcement target for regular vehicle parking and to allow the installation of fine notification signs.

Kwon Seok-won, Director of the Policy Improvement Bureau of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, said, "We hope that this institutional improvement will resolve inconveniences arising during eco-friendly vehicle charging," and added, "We will continue to strive to improve unreasonable systems in daily life to alleviate the public's difficulties."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.