The government will break down the public electric vehicle charging fee system from the current two tiers to five. Slow-charging fees will drop 29.4 won (9.1%) per kWh, while ultra-fast charging fees will rise 45.9 won (13.2%).
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said on the 1st that it finalized the "Public EV charging fee system reform plan" and will implement it starting Aug. 1. Under the current fee system, there are only two bands based on 100 kW charger output—below 324.4 won and at or above 347.2 won (both won/kWh)—so it has long been criticized for failing to sufficiently reflect the expense differences among slow, medium, and fast chargers.
According to the reform plan, the public charging fee system will be divided into five tiers, including slow and ultra-fast segments. The unit rates were calculated by reflecting electricity charges for operating chargers, operating costs, and statutory inspection fees.
Fees for slow chargers (under 30 kW), which account for about 90% of all chargers, will be 295.0 won per kWh, down 29.4 won from the previous 324.4 won. The 30 kW to under 50 kW band will be 307.2 won, and the 50 kW to under 100 kW band will be 325.6 won.
By contrast, fast-charging fees will increase. The reason cited is the need for investment in technology development to improve charging service quality, including ultra-fast charging and power distribution. The 100 kW to under 200 kW band will be 348.4 won, and ultra-fast chargers at or above 200 kW, which account for 2.3% of all chargers, will be 393.1 won.
The revised fee system applies when roaming and paying with the Climate Ministry member card (ev-Eum) at public chargers installed and operated by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, as well as at private chargers that have agreements with the government.
The ministry plans to further advance the fee system by linking time-of-use electricity rates with EV charging fees. It aims to design the program so users can charge at lower cost during hours when renewable energy output is high.