Seoul Rolls Out Electric-Car Sharing Program

In an innovative step to alleviate traffic jams and improve air quality, the metropolitan government is making electric cars available for rent throughout Seoul under its “Electric Vehicle Sharing” program, which started May 9. Registered drivers can book a Kia Ray EV online for 6,000 won ($5) an hour.

Drivers can pick up their rental car at any of the unmanned parking lots across the city. Charging is free and the rental expenses include insurance costs.

“Car sharing will help ease traffic congestion and environmental pollution given that vehicles are responsible for 58% of air pollutants,” Lee No-seong, deputy director of the Seoul government’s green transportation policy team, told Korea Real Time.

Mr. Lee added the program will give Seoul residents a chance to experience all-electric cars, which they haven’t had access to because of high prices and the lack of charging stations.

There are 184 Ray EVs and 212 battery chargers, including 28 high-speed ones, available in Seoul. Dozens of charging stations have been set up in the Gyeonggi and Incheon areas.

As of May 24, 15,000 Seoul residents, mainly in their 20s and 30s, have registered for the program.

“Nine out of 10 users were satisfied with the car’s performance and the competitive costs, but they were not happy with a low mileage of about 90 kilometers per charging and lack of charging stations,” said Mr. Lee.