From Thursday through Sunday, energy use fees waived entirely for self-consumption chargers between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; public chargers operated by the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy and Korea Electric Power to offer 50 percent discount
Electric vehicle drivers without a private charger at home would do well to use public charging stations during the Chuseok holiday — the government is cutting charging fees in half.
The Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy and Korea Electric Power said they will discount EV charging fees from Thursday through Sunday, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., when electricity demand drops sharply during the holiday period.
The half-price discount is designed to put surplus power generated beyond holiday demand to use in EV charging, stabilizing the electricity supply-demand balance while passing the resulting savings on to drivers.
The Chuseok discount applies to self-consumption chargers that draw power directly from Korea Electric Power, as well as public EV charging stations operated by the ministry and Korea Electric Power.
For self-consumption charging equipment installed at private homes and similar locations, the energy use fee for electricity consumed during those hours — about 85.4 won per kilowatt-hour for low-voltage and 80.2 won per kilowatt-hour for high-voltage connections — will be waived entirely. Approximately 102,000 households nationwide are eligible.
About 18,000 public chargers operated by the ministry and Korea Electric Power will apply a rate 50 percent below normal during midday holiday hours, regardless of output level.
Private charging operators are also expected to pass on the energy fee discount they receive during those hours to consumers.
If the full discount is reflected, rates are expected to fall roughly 22 to 29 percent below normal, based on standard public charging fees set by the ministry.
Participation, the size of the discount, and the form it takes — whether a direct rate reduction or points accumulation — will vary by operator, so drivers should check each company's website for details.
A full rate schedule by charger output and a nationwide map of charging station locations are available on the Zero-Emission Vehicle integrated website, which will also publish a list of private operators taking part in the initiative.
Meanwhile, 19 mobile chargers will be deployed through Sunday at eight highway rest stops expected to see concentrated charging demand during the holiday — including Hanam Dream (Gyeonggi Province), Hongcheon (on the Seoul–Yangyang route), Chuncheon, Gujeong, Songnisan, and Buyeo Baekje (on the Seocheon–Gongju route).
"Discounting charging fees during midday hours of the Chuseok holiday will increase EV charging activity, which in turn reduces both the strain on the power grid and the cost to the public," Climate, Environment and Energy Minister Kim Sung-hwan said. "We will continue to improve the charging fee structure in line with supply-and-demand conditions so that people can feel the real benefits of renewable energy expansion."
thlee@heraldcorp.com
