South Korea issues advisory as EV charging complaints surge

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission has issued a ‘complaint advisory’ following a significant surge in civil complaints related to electric vehicle (EV) charging. An analysis of 173,305 complaints collected over the past three years reveals that monthly average complaints rose from 3,683 in 2023 to 6,578 in 2024, representing a 1.8-fold increase.

Key issues identified include violations of dedicated charging zones, such as non-EV vehicles occupying spaces or EVs remaining parked long after charging is complete. Other frequent complaints involve malfunctioning chargers, card recognition errors, insufficient charging infrastructure, and illegal charging practices using unauthorized equipment or public electrical facilities.

The Commission has shared directions for improvement with relevant agencies, emphasizing the need for stricter management of charging zones, enhanced maintenance of facilities, and the expansion of the charging supply. The advisory also highlights the necessity of improving order and accessibility for users, including those with disabilities.