More electric vehicles will be visible on Korean roads in the near future. The Ministry of Environment (MOE) has announced on March 14 that it will expand the range of its electric vehicle (EV) supply project into the private sector. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MTIE) has also been operating electric car sharing trial services within Seoul and Gyeonggi-do (Gyeonggi Province) areas.

Under its green growth policy initiative, Korea has been making active moves to popularize electric cars. In 2010, the MOE, MTIE, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) announced a joint project to develop and supply electric cars, presenting a vision of becoming a “green car superpower.” Under the project, the government aims to expand the proportion of electric cars on the road by up to ten percent of all small-sized vehicles and raise the total number of EVs in the country to one million by 2020. Under the plan, the MTIE has been supporting overall EV research & development. The MOE has been in charge of the introduction and supply of electric cars backed by the legal and systemic support of the MLIT.

The number of electric cars currently on the roads exceeds 1,200 nationwide, including the cars used for the electric car sharing service run by the MTIE. For the last two years, the MOE has supplied more than 1,000 electric cars and charging stations each. Most of these cars have been purchased by government offices and provincial governments for public purposes.

(From left) Kia Ray EVs are parked at a charging station; a Kia Ray is charging (photos courtesy of AJ car rental).

(From left) Kia Ray EVs are parked at a charging station; a Kia Ray is charging (photos courtesy of AJ car rental).

* Government pledges to expand supply of electric cars

The MOE announced at a two-day conference in mid-March this year that it will do its utmost to expand the supply of electric vehicles to the private sector, dubbing 2013 as the “year of electric vehicle popularization” on Jeju Island.

Seoul and Jeju Island have the highest proportion of electric vehicles and related infrastructure, according to the MOE. The ministry has introduced electric cars to the environment-friendly policies and tourism industries of each of the regional governments.

Along with the ministry’s plan, the Seoul Metropolitan Government recently launched an EV sharing project in cooperation with Korail Networks and LG CNS in October 2012, to alleviate problems caused by the high population. Seoul citizens can apply for the service by driving the Kia Ray, the first mass-produced electric car of Kia Motors, and pay a relatively lower-than-normal hourly car rental price, according to the city project.

“Jeju Island plans to change all automobiles to electric cars by 2030 under its ‘carbon-free island project,’” said Park Kwang-chil, manager of the MOE’s EV team. “The Ministry of Environment plans to select up to three or five cities by May 2013 in order to expand the supply of electric vehicles.” The MOE said it will provide government subsidies starting this year for those who purchase electric cars under the atmospheric protection law. Those who buy electric vehicles such as the Kia Ray, or the SM3 Z.E. developed by Renault Samsung Motors following the Kia Ray, or the electric version of the Chevrolet Spark by GM Korea can receive a 15 million won government subsidy. The governments of Seoul and Jeju Island also provide additional subsidies for electric vehicle purchasers; Seoul provides KRW 15 million and Jeju 8.7 million.

* Supply of electric cars gradually expands

The MTIE has been supporting EV R&D, including small and medium-sized electric cars such as “BlueOn,” the first electric vehicle developed by Hyundai Motor Company in 2010. The ministry also helps with R&D of five core parts of EVs, including batteries, motors, and chargers.

Backed by the government’s support, a mini high-speed EV was unveiled late last year. The MTIE showcased the compact electric car in front of industry representatives on December 17, 2012, at POSCO Global R&D Center in Songdo International Business District. This two-door vehicle, which will be put into mass production in 2014, can accommodate up to four people. The ministry and its related researchers aim to design the vehicle so that it can move at speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour and travel up to 120 kilometers on one charge.

(From left) The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy showcased a mini high-speed EV on December 17, 2012, at POSCO Global R&D Center in Songdo; people examine the interior of the EV (photo: Yonhap News).

(From left) The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy showcased a mini high-speed EV on December 17, 2012, at POSCO Global R&D Center in Songdo; people examine the interior of the EV (photo: Yonhap News).

The MTIE has also been actively supporting an EV trial service project. In cooperation with AJ Rentacar, it has been operating an electric car-sharing service since December 2012, which allows customers to rent a Kia Ray EV from twelve charging stations located within Seoul and Gyeonggi-do for KRW 65,000 per day on weekdays and 70,000 on weekends, approximately 20 percent cheaper than normal car rental fees. The service requires a membership which can be attained by visiting the service homepage www.evshare.co.kr.

Electric cars are welcomed in the tourism industry. Luxury hotels are introducing EV trial services in order to meet the high standards of its clients and the growing interest in eco-friendly cars worldwide. Hyatt Regency Jeju opened its own on-site charging station and has been running the service since May 2012. Clients who stay in suites or a higher level of accommodation can try driving the SM3 Z.E. for free, which can go at speeds up to 140 kilometers per hour and drive up to 182 kilometers on one full charge. Hyatt Regency Jeju will offer the service until May 2013.

(From left) clients get out of a Kia Ray EV (photo courtesy of Sheraton Grande Walkerhill); Renault Samsung’s EV SM3 .Z.E. is parked in front of the Hyatt Regency Jeju (photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Jeju).

(From left) clients get out of a Kia Ray EV (photo courtesy of Sheraton Grande Walkerhill); Renault Samsung’s EV SM3 .Z.E. is parked in front of the Hyatt Regency Jeju (photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Jeju).

The Sheraton Grande Walkerhill in Seoul has also been running a similar service since October 2012. The hotel provides clients with a Kia Ray EV for free pick-ups. A fully charged Kia Ray EV can travel up to 130 kilometers and run at speeds up to 130 kilometer per hour. “Clients like the service because this car is free of noise and vibration,” said a staffer of the hotel.

In line with the government’s electric vehicle supply plan this year, the electric car market in Korea is rising as a benchmark of world electric car markets. Renault Samsung plans to mass produce the SM3 Z.E., and the premium imported car brand BMW will enter the Korean EV market with its BMW i3 and i8 later this year.

 

[Source: Korea.net]