Seoul City Secures Sites for 5,000 Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers... "Proactive Response to EV Demand"

Collaboration with Ministry of Environment, Korea Energy Agency, Korea Electric Power Corporation, and Related Organizations to Develop Plans for Expanding Charger Installation in Seoul Area

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] To proactively respond to the rapidly increasing demand for electric vehicles, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to secure sites for 5,000 fast chargers by 2022.

According to Seoul City on the 3rd, there are currently about 8,400 electric vehicle chargers in operation. However, in preparation for the surge in electric vehicle demand due to the release of various new models, the city plans to secure additional sites and proactively expand the charging infrastructure.

Electric vehicle chargers include ultra-fast, fast, slow, and metered outlets. This survey will focus on identifying sites for ultra-fast, fast, and slow chargers.

Seoul City is currently using inspection personnel for electric vehicle chargers to scout for installable sites and is also accepting voluntary applications from citizens. In the second half of the year, a separate site discovery team will be formed to more actively secure sites, with a plan to install a total of 200,000 fast chargers by 2025. Mayor Oh Se-hoon has pledged to install 5,000 public fast chargers as part of his campaign promises.

Seoul City will share the discovered sites with related organizations promoting electric vehicle charger installation projects, such as the Ministry of Environment (Korea Environment Corporation), Korea Electric Power Corporation, and Korea Energy Agency. At the same time, it will prepare to immediately build charging facilities in line with the increasing trend of electric vehicles to enhance convenience for citizens using electric vehicles.

Citizens, corporations, and businesses wishing to install chargers in multi-family housing, buildings, driver’s restaurants, parking lots, etc., can download the application form from the Seoul City website and apply via email or fax.

Lee Dong-ryul, Director of Seoul City’s Climate Change Response Division, said, “In preparation for the surge in electric vehicles, we will lead the expansion of electric vehicle adoption by proactively building charging infrastructure to improve accessibility and convenience for users. Furthermore, we will take the lead in responding to the climate crisis by reducing fine dust and greenhouse gases in downtown Seoul.”