Electric vehicle chargers were added by 20,000 units, while gas stations were reduced by nearly 100 in South Korea last year to underscore fast changing fueling and mobility landscape.

According to the Korea National Oil Corporation on Thursday, the number of gas stations in Korea was tallied at 11,367, losing two in less than a month of New Year. As of the end of last year, the figure lost 97 on year to 11,369.

The number of EV chargers however rose fast to total 64,188, adding 19,396 from a year earlier. Assuming that each station has 10 chargers, EV chargers would have been increased by 2,000.

EV charging facilities still remain short, although addition has picked up speed. The number jumped nearly 32-fold from 2,014 in 2016 and is expected to gain traction from government drive.

Traditional gas stations are quickly renovating to incorporate new fuel.

The country’s second largest oil refiner GS Caltex Corp. targets to add more high-speed 100kW EV battery charging units to total 160 until 2022. It currently runs 100kW chargers at 49 nationwide gas and LPG stations and installed a 350kW charging unit at a station in Seoul for the first time in Korea.

SK Group also is planning to speed up establishing EV charging facilities this year. It suggested adding 190 chargers by 2023 earlier but recently is reviewing to revise up the target, according to sources.

SK’s Netruck House, a franchise rest stop for professional truck operators and motorists, will install solar panels at all its locations, supplying solar power from gas stations that can contribute to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions.

Major refiner Hyundai Oilbank Co. aims to expand its EV charging facilities for individuals to 200 by 2023 from current some-20. S-Oil Corp. will install two charging units at its gas station in Paju, Gyeonggi Province within the first half.

This year, about 10 new EV models are scheduled to come out in Korea.

By Lee Yoon-jae and Lee Ha-yeon

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]