Electric Vehicle Charging Now Available at Gas Stations... First 'Energy Superstation' Operational

Hyundai Motor Company Installs Ultra-Fast Electric Vehicle Charging Station at National Science Museum in Daejeon
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Hyundai Motor Group announced that it has installed an ultra-fast electric vehicle charging station called 'E-pit' at the National Science Museum in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, and will begin full-scale operation from the 29th. The photo shows Hyundai Motor Group's ultra-fast electric vehicle charging station E-pit installed at the National Science Museum. 2021.11.29 [Provided by Hyundai Motor Group. Redistribution and DB reproduction prohibited]
photo@yna.co.kr
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[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Junhyung] It has become possible to charge electric vehicles with electricity directly produced at gas stations. The government has expressed its intention to accelerate regulatory improvements related to the establishment of electric vehicle infrastructure.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that Vice Minister Park Ki-young attended the opening ceremony of the first Energy Superstation held at Parkmi Gas Station in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul on the 9th. The ceremony was attended by Vice Minister Park, Yoo Yeon-sik, Head of the Seoul Climate and Environment Headquarters, and Chung Dong-chae, Chairman of the Korea Petroleum Association. Vice Minister Park said, "The Energy Superstation, which produces electricity while providing charging services, achieves two goals of power supply and electric vehicle expansion, making it a win-win situation," adding, "I hope the Energy Superstation spreads to create infrastructure that allows constant charging like a mobile phone and becomes a regional energy hub."

The Energy Superstation is a future vehicle charging infrastructure equipped with electricity production and charging functions. When distributed energy such as solar power and fuel cells and electric vehicle chargers are installed at existing gas stations and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) charging stations, they become Energy Superstations. The first Energy Superstation in Korea, Parkmi Gas Station, has a 300kW-class fuel cell and a 20kW-class solar power system installed. Two electric vehicle chargers were installed: one ultra-fast charger and one fast charger.

The government has been promoting the Energy Superstation project since last year. This is to expand related infrastructure in line with the spread of electric vehicles and to provide a direction for existing fossil fuel-based gas stations and LPG charging stations. After several consultations with the Fire Agency and SK Energy, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy received a regulatory sandbox demonstration exemption for installing fuel cells in gas stations in May last year.

Originally, installing fuel cells in gas stations is basically illegal under the Hazardous Materials Safety Control Act. Accordingly, related ministries prepared safety measures through risk assessments. Subsequently, after obtaining power generation business permits, fuel cells were installed at Parkmi Gas Station in January last year. Through this year's government electric vehicle charging installation subsidy project, which invested 10 billion KRW, fast and ultra-fast chargers were also established.

Based on the operation results of Parkmi Gas Station, the government intends to expand Energy Superstations nationwide. Accordingly, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is working with related organizations to improve regulations such as installing fuel cells in gas stations and LPG charging stations and restrictions on the distance between electric vehicle chargers. Support for electric vehicle charger installation and financial support for distributed energy installation will also be provided simultaneously. New projects related to research and development (R&D) for stable charging station operation are also under consideration.

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