The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has conducted field survey on citizens’ demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations since February, and will begin full-scale installation with the reaching the first half of this year’s target of installing 12,000 chargers by the end of next month.

This project is conducted by installing charging stations according to citizens’ direct applications, greatly reducing the time and effort required for site surveying. It also serves as an opportunity to expand charging stations in areas in the city typically avoided by charging companies, such as hillside residential areas, low-rise residential areas, and old apartment complexes.

The city prioritized accessibility and openness of space when selecting the installation sites so that the more citizens have access to EV charging stations shared with neighbors.

As a part of its efforts to address the lack of EV charging stations, the city is working with residents to install household EV chargers per hillside residential area and even share fast chargers in apartment complexes with delivery trucks to create pollution-free and noise-free residential environments. Moreover, EV charging stations will be installed in outdoor parking lots for easy access by school bus drivers.

The city is also prioritizing its selection to provide support for areas where the installation of charging stations is difficult if residents apply to share with neighbors.

Seoul’s EV charging station project led by public application is playing an important role in addressing the lack of EV charging stations in the city and the city is preparing to establish customized charging infrastructure for anyone to conveniently charge their vehicles anywhere in the city. The city plans to continue its EV charging station project in the same way for additional installations.