South Korea Proposes Five-Tier Public EV Charging Rates, Sets 391.9 Won for 200 kW+

The government is moving to break public electric-vehicle charging fees into five tiers from the current two, lowering rates for slower charging while raising ultra-fast rates to better reflect cost differences by charging speed.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said April 29 it will issue an administrative notice on a revised fee system and unit prices for public EV charging stations from April 30 through May 19.

The ministry also said it will begin a separate legislative notice, running the same day through June 9, on revisions to subordinate regulations under the Clean Air Conservation Act covering management standards for electric and hydrogen charging facilities.
 
The centerpiece of the plan is to expand the public charging fee structure from two tiers — under 100 kilowatts and 100 kW or more — to five tiers. Current rates are 324.4 won per kilowatt-hour for under 100 kW and 347.2 won for 100 kW or more.

Under the proposal, rates would be set at 294.3 won for under 30 kW; 306.0 won for 30 kW to under 50 kW; 324.4 won for 50 kW to under 100 kW; 347.2 won for 100 kW to under 200 kW; and 391.9 won for 200 kW or more.

The revised rates would apply when drivers use public chargers installed and operated by the ministry, or chargers operated under agreements with the ministry, and pay with a ministry membership card. A discount program that applies from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends and holidays in spring and fall would keep the same discount levels, applied to the new unit prices.

The ministry said the existing system has not adequately reflected differences between charger output and actual operating costs. It said it recalculated unit prices to incorporate operating expenses such as communications fees, maintenance, labor and depreciation.

A ministry official said charging services in the field have become more segmented — including slow, mid-speed and fast charging — but the fee system has remained a two-tier structure for about four years and has not kept pace with market changes.

On concerns that the 200 kW-and-above ultra-fast rate could raise consumer burdens, the official said not all drivers use 200 kW chargers at all times and that simply comparing ultra-fast charging fees with average gasoline or diesel prices is not appropriate given EV usage patterns.
 
The ministry is also pursuing tighter management of EV and hydrogen charging infrastructure through revisions to subordinate regulations under the Clean Air Conservation Act.

Operators would be required to make charging fees visible on-site through signs or notices. For charging facilities at highway rest areas, the government plans to require external price signs, similar to those at gas stations, so drivers can check rates before charging.

The proposal would also strengthen obligations for preventive maintenance and regular inspections to reduce breakdowns. Operators would have to maintain a system to respond to fault reports and user inquiries, and could face corrective orders for failing to meet management standards.

A new disclosure requirement would require operators to post charging fees, detailed location information and real-time availability on the Korea Environment Corporation’s integrated online portal for zero-emission vehicles. The ministry said it expects the measure to address “hidden pricing” and encourage price competition in the private charging market.

Separately, the ministry said it is reviewing a seasonal and time-of-use pricing system for public charging fees, linking electricity rates and consumer charging prices so charging can be cheaper when renewable power generation is high. No implementation date has been set.

The ministry also plans to revise subsidy guidelines to prevent unnecessary charger replacements. If a charging facility that has not reached its eight-year service life is removed and replaced, subsidies would be provided only when there is a justified reason, such as an irreparable failure. It also plans to allow apartment managers to receive subsidies when they directly install and operate charging facilities, expanding user choice.

Jeong Seon-hwa, the ministry’s director general for Green Transition Policy, said, “Reasonable charging fees and convenience in using charging facilities are key to expanding EV adoption,” adding that the government will work to build an optimal charging ecosystem starting with the fee overhaul and management standards.