KT announced that it will replace 1,000 business vehicles operated by the KT Group with electric vehicles by the end of this year and install electric vehicle chargers at KT Group offices nationwide.

First, KT will replace 1,000 of approximately 10,000 business vehicles across the entire group with electric vehicles this year. From next year onwards, KT will review the adoption of electric vehicles for all business vehicles that reach their replacement cycle. Vehicles requiring long-distance operations across the country or those traveling on rough terrain such as mountainous areas will be subject to separate review.

By replacing business vehicles with electric vehicles, KT expects to reduce air pollution caused by automobiles such as fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and significantly reduce not only vehicle operation costs but also maintenance costs compared to existing vehicles. (As of 2017, electric vehicle fuel costs are approximately 10% of gasoline vehicles)

Additionally, with the expansion of electric vehicle adoption for business use, KT plans to install more than 300 additional chargers within this year. Currently, KT Group operates 27 slow chargers at 22 offices with electric vehicles out of 182 offices nationwide where business vehicles are deployed. KT plans to expand charging infrastructure by this year to enable employees and the general public visiting the company to conveniently use electric vehicles in addition to business electric vehicles.

Starting this year, apartment complexes, business facilities, and other locations that do not purchase electric vehicles can also receive government subsidies from the Ministry of Environment if they install chargers for common use. In the past, vehicle owners directly installed chargers for their own vehicle charging, but now vehicle owners can receive government subsidies from the Ministry of Environment and install chargers by designating and applying for electric vehicle charging spaces.

Kim Young-myung, head of KT's Smart Energy Business Division, stated, "As government support policies for electric vehicles are strengthened and public interest is increasing, we expect this year to be the beginning of electric vehicle expansion. KT will take the lead in electric vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure expansion in line with the eco-friendly policy direction."