Electric vehicles have become a much more common sight on local roads in recent years. Drivers, though, complain that Jeju lacks adequate charging stations and other infrastructure. The provincial government says it plans to respond to those complaints this year. Joseph Kim has more in this report.



Report

An increasing number of taxi drivers have chosen electric vehicles,

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Number of electric taxis hits 100 last year

since the nation’s first electric taxi made its debut on the island in 2014.

The number of electric taxis reached 100 last year.

Lower fuel costs and purchase subsidies from the provincial government have mostly contributed to their popularity.

More recently, the province has been installing and running more EV charging stations including quick chargers for the convenience of EV drivers.

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‘Battery drains too quickly’

However, early adopters of the EV are complaining about their cars - particularly about how quickly the EV battery drains its charge.

Recording
Jang Eun-ho / Korea Electric Vehicle Service
A fully-charged battery can cover 70 kilometers of winter driving. That means if you drive to Aewol or the Jeju Global Education City from Jeju City, you cannot drive back on a single charge.
<씽크:장은호/제주전기차서비스>
"배터리가 완충돼서 갈 수 있는 거리가 겨울에는 70km 밖에 안돼요. 애월이나 영어교육도시 가면 갔다올 수 없습니다."

The province is gearing up for growth in EV-related infrastructure and industries this year.

Its aim is to boost the businesses surrounding EVs as well as the number of EVs on local roads.

INTERVIEW
Kim Hong-rim / Provincial government
We’re identifying EV-related potential industries that can be developed in Jeju, and we’re looking into converting local gas stations and garages so that they can service electric vehicles.
<인터뷰:김홍림/제주특별자치도 전기차 산업 담당>
"도내 육성 가능한 전기차 연관산업을 조사하고 도내 주유소, 정비업체 등 연관산업으로 업종 전환 가능한 기업을 조사하게 됩니다."

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‘Battery recycling infrastructure needed’

EV industry insiders are emphasizing that infrastructure for recycling used EV batteries, as well as support for local EV firms and human resource development are needed.

Recording
Gang Hee-seok / CEO, InfoMind
It looks like local firms are experiencing reverse discrimination. The province is offering financial incentives to encourage mainland firms to move here. We need policies for the local EV industry, too.
<씽크:강희석/(주)인포마인드>
"정작 지역에서 일하고 있는 기업들은 역차별을 받고 있지 않나. 외부에서 오는 기업들은 인센티브를 주는데 정작 지역에서 고생하는 기업 육성을 위한 방안들이 필요하다고 보고요."

[Reporter] Joseph Kim

This month, the province commissioned a research group to come up with plans to improve EV related industries and will seek additional EV supporting projects by October.

It will then share the results with the national government.

Joseph Kim, KCTV