Electric vehicle drivers should consider their charging times starting this month, as discounts on charging fees have resumed in September after being suspended during the summer.
According to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), a 50% discount on the energy charge will be available for electric vehicle charging from 11 AM to 2 PM on weekends and holidays in September and October. The discount applies during the spring months of March to May and the fall months of September to October.
This program was introduced as part of a seasonal and time-based electricity rate reform that took effect on April 16. The public charging fee discount for electric vehicles was first implemented on April 18 and continued until May 31, but was not available during the summer months of June to August. The ministry announced at that time that it would resume the fall discount in September and October.
It is important to note that the entire charging fee will not be halved. The discount applies only to the energy charge, which accounts for about 35% of the total charging fee. According to the ministry, a 50% discount on the energy charge results in an overall reduction of approximately 12% to 15% in the total charging fee.
During the spring discount period, users of public charging stations operated by the ministry and KEPCO received discounts ranging from 40.1 to 48.6 won per kWh. The ministry has also restructured the public charging fee system into five tiers in August, while maintaining the existing discount rates for spring and fall weekends and holidays from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Discounts can be accessed through self-consumption charging stations installed at homes and businesses, public chargers operated by the ministry and KEPCO, and some participating private charging operators. However, not all private chargers will automatically apply the discount, so users should verify whether the discount is applicable at their chosen charging station.
The government introduced the weekend daytime discount program to encourage electric vehicle charging during periods of increased renewable energy generation, such as solar power, while electricity demand is relatively low. This aims to distribute electricity demand more evenly.
During the spring period, actual usage increased. From April 18 to May 31, the average daily usage of public charging stations during the discount hours rose from 4,261 to 4,654, an increase of about 9.2%. During this period, users received approximately 75.46 million won in discounts.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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