Chuseok Daytime EV Charging Discounts Tap Surplus Solar Power

Electric vehicle charging fees will be discounted during daytime hours over the Chuseok holiday. As industrial power demand decreases during the holiday, the government plans to utilize surplus renewable energy, such as solar power generated during daytime, for EV charging.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on the 21st that charging fees for electric vehicles will be reduced from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for four days, from the 24th to the 27th.

First, 102,000 self-consumption chargers directly supplied by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) will be exempt from power quantity charges during the designated hours. Self-consumption charging fees consist of a basic charge and a power quantity charge, with the latter—levied based on actual usage—being waived.

Approximately 18,000 public chargers operated by the Ministry of Climate and KEPCO will see a 50% discount on charging fees. For a 100-kW charger, the fee per 1 kWh will drop from 348.4 Korean won to 174.2 Korean won.

Charging fees at private charging stations are also expected to decrease due to reduced power quantity charges. However, discount rates and application methods may vary by operator, so users must check via each charging provider’s website.

The Ministry of Climate will also deploy 19 mobile chargers at eight highway rest areas during the Chuseok holiday. The locations include Hanam Dream, Hongcheon (Seoul-Yangyang direction), Chuncheon, Gujeong, Songnisan, and Buyeo Baekje (Seocheon-Gongju direction) rest areas.

The mobile chargers can be used for up to 20 kWh per vehicle. Priority will be given to vehicles with battery levels below 50%.