South Korea will increase subsidies for electric motorcycles that offer faster charging speeds and enhanced battery status monitoring. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 18 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea will increase subsidies for electric motorcycles that offer faster charging speeds and enhanced battery status monitoring, the Ministry of Environment announced Monday.
Under the newly finalized 2025 subsidy guidelines, electric motorcycles equipped with 3kW fast-charging capability or a battery status display/app integration will be eligible for an additional subsidy of up to 100,000 won. A 3kW charging speed allows a full charge within 1 to 2 hours, significantly improving convenience for users.
Government Boosts Funding for EV Motorcycles and Battery Swap Stations
The government has allocated 16 billion won in subsidies to support the adoption of 20,000 electric motorcycles this year. Additionally, 50 billion won will be provided for installing 500 battery-swapping charging stations, enhancing infrastructure for battery-exchange models.
However, subsidies will no longer be provided for battery-swapping stations that fail to meet national KS (Korean Standard) certification. This move aims to standardize charging compatibility across different brands, allowing users to charge an A-brand battery at a B-brand station, increasing convenience and accessibility.
For battery-swappable electric motorcycles, the government had previously limited performance subsidies to 60% of the vehicle price since the battery is not included in the motorcycle’s cost. This year, however, the subsidy coverage has been increased to 70% to encourage broader adoption.
The updated 2025 EV motorcycle subsidy guidelines can be accessed via the government’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Integrated Portal (ev.or.kr).
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
