Gangnam-gu to Create Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Using Road Heating Cables

Pilot Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities at 10 Locations
Installation Cost per Charger Reduced by 30 Million KRW

Gangnam-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) will pilot the installation of electric vehicle charging facilities using a road heating system at 10 locations, the first of its kind nationwide.

The district initiated this project to increase the utilization of the road heating system, which is only temporarily used during snowy winter seasons, and to actively expand charging facilities that are relatively insufficient compared to the rapidly growing electric vehicle adoption rate.

Example of electric vehicle charging facility using road heating cables. Provided by Gangnam-gu.

The road heating system is a facility that automatically detects and melts snow or frozen ice on the road surface through heating cables embedded about 7 cm below the pavement. By installing a fast charger (50 kW) for electric vehicles using this system, there is no need to install new power cables, reducing the cost per unit from approximately 45 million KRW to 15 million KRW.

If electric vehicle chargers were installed using the road heating system at just one location in each of Seoul’s 25 districts, it is estimated that about 750 million KRW could be saved.

Additionally, installing electric vehicle chargers near the existing heating system’s distribution boxes can reduce space constraints on narrow side streets and minimize residents’ inconvenience caused by noise from power cable installation work.

Since November last year, the district has conducted a full survey and safety inspection of 73 existing road heating system sites and selected 10 pilot sections to carry out foundational construction. Charging stations are expected to begin operation sequentially starting as early as the 28th of this month.

District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong said, “It was regrettable that the heating system was only used during winter, but after brainstorming with staff, we came up with a good policy idea. We will continue to devote all efforts to improving administrative services to make residents’ daily lives more convenient.”