During the upcoming Chuseok holiday, from September 24 to 27, EV charging fees will be significantly reduced by approximately 50% between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. This measure has been implemented because overall electricity consumption decreases as factories and businesses close during the holiday, while power generation from sources like solar energy remains abundant. In a situation where surplus electricity would otherwise be wasted, encouraging EV charging helps stabilize the power grid while providing tangible economic benefits to drivers. Recalling the emergency power supply management measures taken during previous holidays, this initiative serves as an excellent strategy to protect both the environment and drivers’ wallets. Drivers heading home in eco-friendly vehicles can take full advantage of this time slot to charge their vehicles at a cost lower than gasoline. In this article, we will examine in detail the specific contents of this charging fee discount, the eligible facilities, and how to charge smartly.
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Notice on 50% Discount for EV Charging During Daytime Hours of the Chuseok Holiday
1. Measures for Stabilizing Power Supply During the Chuseok Holiday
Behind the drastic reduction in daytime charging fees during this holiday lies a hidden effort to resolve the imbalance between power generation and consumption. As the Chuseok holiday begins, numerous factories and industrial facilities across the country halt operations, causing a sharp drop in national electricity demand. However, renewable energy generated by solar power facilities continues to be produced non-stop as long as the weather is good, easily leading to a state of oversupply. If the generated electricity cannot be used immediately, it places a burden on the power grid, potentially requiring emergency measures to forcibly reduce generator output. To prevent such waste, the government and power agencies have decided to utilize the many EVs circulating nationwide as massive mobile batteries. The plan is to guide drivers to store electricity in their vehicles, thereby preventing grid overload and achieving efficient energy distribution. This can be seen as a tailored solution proposed by the government to wisely overcome the precarious situation where power supply exceeds demand. Instead of shutting down power plants or wasting electricity, consuming power through citizens’ eco-friendly transportation methods yields a two-fold benefit.
A supply stabilization measure utilizing EVs is being implemented to address the decrease in industrial power usage and the surplus of solar power generation during the Chuseok holiday.
2. Discount Application Times and Eligible Facilities
This EV charging fee discount applies strictly between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM for four days, from Wednesday, September 24, to Saturday, September 27. Eligible chargers are divided into two main types, each with different discount rates and application methods, so it is advisable to check in advance. The first category consists of private chargers installed and used by individuals at homes or companies, with approximately 102,000 units nationwide. The second category includes public chargers directly operated by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), with approximately 18,000 units nationwide. Even when using facilities operated by private charging businesses, the discount on the electricity tariff received by the business during the specified time slot is expected to be fully reflected in the consumer’s charging fee. Therefore, drivers who have found charging costs burdensome will find it highly advantageous to plan their travel routes to coincide with the holiday daytime hours. Since regular rates may be charged if the exact time slot is missed, it is essential to check the time using smartphone navigation or charging apps. Most fast chargers installed at highway rest areas and public institutions are included in this benefit, so there should be little confusion in usage.
From September 24 to 27, fee discounts will be applied daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, focusing on public and private-use chargers.
3. Full Waiver Benefit for Private-Use Chargers
Private-use chargers installed in individual homes, self-owned buildings, or certain apartment complexes that manage their own power will enjoy significant benefits from this measure. A drastic support policy is in place where the electricity volume fee charged for power consumed during the specified time is waived by 100%, excluding the basic fee. With rates of approximately 85 won per kWh for low voltage and 80 won per kWh for high voltage being completely eliminated, it is effectively free to charge your car. There are over 100,000 private-use charging facilities nationwide eligible for this benefit, which will be a great relief for residents in housing areas. By staying home during the holiday and plugging in your car during the daytime, you can fill your battery at a much lower cost than usual. This exceptional support encourages individuals to participate in distributing household power consumption while also providing tangible assistance to household economies. Quietly charging energy around the home during periods of massive population movement, such as the Lunar New Year or Chuseok, is also a wise approach.
Private-use chargers are eligible for a full waiver of the electricity volume fee during the designated daytime hours, making them effectively free to use.
4. Details of the 50% Discount for Public Chargers
Approximately 18,000 public EV charging stations nationwide, directly managed and operated by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and KEPCO, can be used at half the regular price. Regardless of the charger’s output speed, a 50% price reduction is applied unconditionally during the designated daytime hours. For example, if the regular fee for using a 100-kilowatt fast charger is over 340 won per kWh, it will drop to the 170-won range during this period. Drivers who frequently travel long distances can save significantly by using public chargers located at highway rest areas or local government public parking lots on their way home or back to the city. Private operators are also planning to reflect the discounted electricity cost they receive from the government directly into consumer fees, aligning with the government’s policy direction. As a result, numerous EV drivers nationwide will be able to travel with peace of mind, free from concerns about charging costs during the holiday. For the institutions operating the charging stations, this is also a great opportunity to prevent grid overload while earning praise from drivers.
Approximately 18,000 public chargers are available at a 50% discount off the regular fee, with no restrictions on output.
5. Efficient Charging Strategies for Holiday Travel
Drivers visiting their hometowns or traveling during the Chuseok holiday need the wisdom to strategically utilize this half-price discount time. You should plan your schedule to visit a charging station between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, after performing morning ancestral rites or spending time with relatives and having lunch. If you stop at a rest area on the highway for lunch, plugging in your car to charge during that time allows you to save both time and money. Considering the potential for long wait times at highway rest areas during the holiday, it is advisable to identify nearby public charging stations in advance. Using smartphone map apps or the public charging information network provided by the Ministry of Environment makes it easy to find available chargers in real time. Since the discount period is limited to just three hours, setting an alarm is a good tip to avoid being charged the regular rate if you miss the time. We hope you can enjoy the two-fold benefit of practicing economical and eco-friendly driving habits while also saving on holiday travel costs.
The core of the charging strategy is to visit highway rest areas or public charging stations in conjunction with your lunch schedule during the daytime hours.
6. The Era of Eco-Friendly Transportation and Future Prospects
The 50% discount on EV charging fees during daytime hours for this Chuseok holiday is not merely a one-time event but a preview of future energy policies. At a point where the number of EVs has already surpassed one million, this can serve as a standard model for wisely distributing increasing power demand. As the proportion of renewable energy is expected to rise further, systems that actively encourage consumption during times of surplus electricity are likely to expand. The government and public institutions plan to carefully analyze data and reactions from this holiday period to introduce similar incentives during the Lunar New Year or summer vacation seasons in the future. If the support system is refined so that drivers who choose eco-friendly vehicles can feel the economic benefits, public acceptance will increase. We must remember that in the era of energy transition, individual small charging habits can become a sturdy pillar supporting the national power grid. We hope you will make the most of the discount benefits and enjoy a safe and pleasant journey home during the upcoming Chuseok holiday.
This policy is expected to become a model case for power distribution models accompanying the expansion of renewable energy and is projected to expand every holiday in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
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