SEOUL, KOREA - The “EV Sharing” program for sharing electric vehicles kicked off full scale in Seoul on May 9. Seoul Metropolitan Government held a ceremony to celebrate the launch of the service at Peace Plaza in World Cup Park in southwestern Seoul on May 8, followed by the service launch of 184 electric vehicles at 57 locations in the city the next day.
Four companies participating in the “EV Sharing” program include LG CNS, Korail Networks, Korea Car Sharing (KCS), and KT Kumho Rent-a-Car.
Another car sharing service for ordinary vehicles was launched in February and a total of 485 vehicles are now in service at 292 parking lots.
The “EV Sharing” program allows citizens to rent a car for short-term use. The program is aimed at reducing energy consumption, relieving traffic congestion, improving city’s air quality and contributing to the development of eco-friendly vehicles. Research has shown that car sharing is equivalent to reducing from 4 to 10 cars on the road.
Thos interested in using the EV Sharing service must first subscribe to the service on the program’s integrated website (www.evseoul.com) or on the websites of the four participating companies and get membership cards (allow 2 to 3 days for issuance). After receiving your membership card, reservations for car use can be made on the Internet or via mobile applications. The car is then picked up from the reserved site through an automatic system. Membership registration is necessary only for the beginning of service use.
- Citycar (LGCNS): http://www.citycar.co.kr/
- You Car Sharing (Korail Networks): http://car.green-square.co.kr/
- Korea Car Sharing (KCS): http://www.wesharecar.co.kr/
- KT Kumho Rent-a-Car (KT Kumho Rent-a-Car): http://www.ktevsharing.com/
Members should hold a valid driver’s license that they have had for more than one year, and be at least 21 years old. Payment is made by credit card at the time of registration. The EV Sharing service adopts an unattended operating system, where users reserve cars on the Internet or by telephone.
Fees vary slightly among the four companies. On average, it costs about 3,000 won for 30 minutes including insurance to rent an EV. Since there is no additional fuel cost involved, it is cheaper to rent an EV than an ordinary car.
The service is completed automatically when the user returns the car to the rental site, turns off the ignition and connects the car to the battery charger. Fees are charged on the registered credit cards.
Compared to the rental of ordinary cars, using EVs is much more economical because the basic service charge is cheaper, by around 10%, and there is no fuel cost.
Users should keep in mind that EVs can drive only for up to 90 kilometers with one full battery charge, and that there are few battery charging facilities outside Seoul.
