A fleet of electric buses is expected to begin operating as early as next month in Seogwipo. Considered environmentally friendly, these E-buses emit no air pollutants and generate less noise, all while offering a smoother ride. As Joseph Kim now reports, though, there still are some issues to iron out.


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Mangjangpo battery replacement facility in Namweon-eup

A bus arrives at the Mangjangpo bus stop in Namwon-eup, Seogwipo City.

As soon as the bus stops, the roof of the bus opens and an apparatus begins the battery swap process.

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Automated system replaces battery

The robotic mechanism extracts the drained battery from the bus and replaces it with a fresh one. A fully charged bus can go an average of 70km, and a maximum 80km in the right weather and road conditions. This electric bus introduced in Seogwipo is the first in the nation.


Oh So-heon / Namwon-eup, Wimi-ri
I am happy with this electric bus since it is less noisy and rides smoother than normal buses.
< 오소헌 / 남원읍 위미리 >
평소에 탔던 전기버스 말고 일반 시내버스보다 덜컹거리는 게 적고 매끄럽게 나가서 좋은 것 같아요.

Later this year, 23 additional electric buses will be added. The Dongseo bus company will run 9 bus routes in Seogwipo City.

Considering there are currently 45 city buses operating in Seogwipo, once they launch, electric buses will make up more than a half of the fleet.


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Up to 23 electric buses on 9 routes

To ensure efficient operation of the bus routes, batteries will be swapped out at the Mangjangpo and Daeryun-dong community center bus stops. When the Daeryun-dong community center bus stop is completed, bus services will commence.


Yang Shin-hyeon / Representative, Battery lease company
Normal service will begin in mid-July when the Daeryun-dong and Mangjangpo battery replacement facilities are complete. We are looking for a couple of more locations as we think about expanding the fleet.
< 양신현 / 배터리 리스업체 기술총괄이사 >
대륜동과 망장포 배터리 교환시설 같이 해서 7월 중순 이후부터는 정상적인 운행이 될 것으로 생각하고 있습니다. 향후 대중교통체제 개편이나 공영버스 도입 등 여러가지를 고려해서 추가로 한, 두군데 정도를 물색하고 있습니다.

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Jeju City service set to begin next year

Following Seogwipo, the province will expand electric bus services to Jeju City in 2017. However some issues still need to be addressed, such as the 4-minute long battery replacement time and the hefty 2 billion won price tag for installing a battery swapping station.

[CAMERA]
Moon Ho-seong

[REPORTER]
Joseph Kim

Additionally, since the system is entirely automated, to avoid malfunctions and system failures, ensuring stability raises other issues, such as battery replacement, management and maintenance.

Joseph Kim KCTV