Suwon Replaces Old Free EV Chargers with Paid Private Operations

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City announced on the 1st that it has replaced the old free fast-charging stations for electric vehicles that it operated with new models, enabling more electric vehicles to use them.

The city has decided to dismantle five outdated free fast-charging stations and have a private operator install new fast-charging stations to operate them on a paid basis.

The chargers to be replaced are located at five locations: Gwonseon-gu Office, Yeongtong-gu Office, SK Atrium, Gwanggyo Lake Happy Field Parking Lot, and Haenggung-dong Ecological Park.

Previously, the city installed one free fast-charging station at each location in 2016 to promote the expansion of electric vehicles.

However, the early-model free fast-charging stations have become incompatible with new electric vehicles over time and have experienced frequent malfunctions due to failures after charging certain vehicle models and excessive machine strain from free operation, causing difficulties in usage and management.

Additionally, with mandatory installation of electric vehicle charging stations and continuous support projects, open-type chargers have increased from 109 units in 2016 to 916 units this year, and as charging infrastructure has stabilized, the city determined that a transition to paid operation was necessary.

Accordingly, the city is converting the five old fast-charging stations to have them replaced with new models by a private charging operator and operate them on a paid basis.

ES Traffic Co., Ltd. will be responsible for the installation and management of the new chargers. Dismantling work will begin in early October, and by mid-November, citizens are expected to be able to use the new chargers at those locations without inconvenience such as compatibility issues.

The city expects that the replacement project will improve the quality of charging service, reduce malfunctions, and secure operational stability.

In particular, since private operators will provide paid services, the city expects it will contribute to the popularization of green mobility through competition in the electric vehicle charging business.

A city official stated, "We ask for the understanding of existing users to accelerate the distribution of electric vehicles" and added, "As service quality will improve with the new chargers, we will manage them thoroughly to ensure there are no inconveniences in use."