An electric vehicle charging robot is charging a car. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, August 6 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea has nearly completed the installation of more than 10,000 smart electric vehicle (EV) chargers designed to prevent overcharging-related fires, the Ministry of Environment announced on Tuesday.
As part of a broader rollout that began last year, 42,032 smart chargers are being deployed nationwide, with 11,039 units already passing final inspections since testing began on July 21.
Unlike older slow chargers, which lack built-in communication modems and cannot regulate charging, the new smart control chargers collect real-time battery data and adjust power flow accordingly. They also feature Plug-and-Charge (PnC) technology for automatic billing and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities, enabling EVs to act as energy storage systems by supplying power back to the grid.
The initiative was fast-tracked following a high-profile EV fire in the underground parking garage of an apartment complex in Incheon’s Cheongna International City last August, which stoked public fears about EV safety.
Although critics have questioned the need for smart chargers—arguing that EVs already manage charging through onboard battery management systems—the government maintains that the chargers serve as a crucial secondary safeguard.
To ensure full functionality, EV manufacturers have agreed to update their software by January 1, 2026, allowing vehicles to transmit battery charge data in real time.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
