Current state of charge

Abstract

Korea's efforts to bolster its burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) industry have predominantly channeled resources into vehicle subsidies, somewhat overlooking the critical development of EV chargers. A thriving EV market requires not only the proliferation of EVs but also readily accessible charging infrastructure, not unlike how gas stations are needed for the operation of internal combustion engine vehicles. As the total number of EV owners grows, so do the genuine inconveniences and concerns related to the accessibility of EV chargers. While various research efforts have recognized this issue and proposed different potential solutions for the future, a significant gap remains in the analysis of chargers already in operation. This study focuses on South Korea's existing EV charging infrastructure, utilizing highly detailed data collected from January 1 to September 30, 2023, to discern various usage patterns and insights of these chargers. The findings of this research can serve as a well-informed foundation for policymakers, researchers, and engineers when contemplating policy and infrastructure decisions to establish a more robust EV charging network.