The Ministry of Environment announced that it will raise public rapid charging rates to reflect the end of special discounts on electric vehicle charging fees and increases in electricity rates.

Starting September 1, the Ministry of Environment will lower the charging rates for public rapid chargers from the current 292.9 won/kWh* (50kW) and 309.1 won/kWh (over 100kW) to 324.4 won/kWh (50kW) and 347.2 won/kWh (over 100kW).

The Ministry of Environment has been adjusting the charging rates for public rapid chargers in operation in accordance with the Korea Electric Power Corporation's special discounts on electric vehicle charging rates and the gradual reduction of discount rates.

Since June of this year, the Ministry of Environment has been operating a joint task force (TF) on charging fees with related organizations such as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Korea Electric Power Corporation, as well as relevant experts, and has been discussing the appropriate level of public rapid charging fees through meetings and other means.

After these discussions, it was decided that the public rapid charger rates would reflect half of the impact of the end of the special discount and the increase in electricity rates.

With this measure, the fuel cost of electric vehicles will increase by approximately KRW 2,200 (KRW 6.2/km) from the current KRW 20,503 to KRW 22,708 for a single full charge using a 50kW rapid charger for an electric vehicle equipped with a 70kWh battery.

The charging fee that has been realized this time is reflected in the payment system, and charging fee information signs are attached. It will be applied from September 1st after a preparation period.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy have decided to improve the electricity rate system and reduce the rate of reduction in electric vehicle purchase subsidies to reduce the burden on electric vehicle users and charging service providers.

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) plans to review measures such as changing the basic fee calculation method for some chargers from the current contract power method to a maximum demand power method, reflecting opinions from the field that the basic fee burden for charging facilities is high.

The Ministry of Environment has continued to reduce subsidies for electric vehicle purchases, but plans to ease the burden on new buyers by easing the rate of subsidy reduction next year compared to previous years to ensure that there are no disruptions to the spread of electric vehicles.