Seoul to Cut EV Charging Fees... "Use Daytime on Weekends"

Seoul to Lower Public Rapid Charging Fees
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Weekends and Public Holidays
Apartment Complexes: 40.1~48.6 won/kWh Discount

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on May 7 that, starting from May 9, it will lower the fees for electric vehicle chargers that the city directly installs and operates. During the daytime on weekends in spring and autumn, users can receive up to a 15% discount when charging their vehicles.

This measure has been implemented to distribute electricity demand during the daytime in spring and autumn and to improve energy efficiency. The city stated that this initiative aligns with the government’s policy to overcome the energy crisis by encouraging demand distribution.

Electric vehicle charging at a charging station. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The fee discount applies to 1,419 public rapid chargers installed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Climate & Energy Environment Division, Korea Electric Power Corporation, and others. The discount hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends and public holidays during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) seasons.

Specifically, for public rapid chargers installed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, if a user charges their vehicle four times a month during the eligible hours, the monthly charging cost will be reduced by approximately 15%. For self-operated chargers installed in apartment complexes, charging during the same hours will provide a discount of about 40.1 to 48.6 won per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is expected to help ease household financial burdens.

However, the specific application method may differ depending on each complex’s management regulations, so confirmation from the property management office is necessary. In apartment complexes, the basic electricity fee, maintenance costs, and the standards for long-term repair reserves are determined internally through their own regulations or sub-regulations.

Some private charging service providers, such as Everon, are also joining this fee reduction policy. The city plans to encourage more private operators to participate, so that citizens can use electric vehicles at affordable rates regardless of location. Kwon Min, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Climate and Environment Headquarters, stated, “In line with the government’s electric vehicle charging fee discount policy, Seoul-operated chargers are also participating in the discount. We will push forward with the policy rapidly to reduce the charging cost burden and improve convenience in a way that citizens can truly feel.”

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