Seoul to Install Over 100 EV Chargers to Promote Eco-Friendly Electric Vehicles

SEOUL, South Korea, July 28, 2010 - The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to install more than 100 EV
charging points until the end of this year.

"We are establishing advanced operation system to compete with EV
charging infrastructure established in other advanced cities," said Director
Lee In-Keun for Air Quality Management Division at the government.

In an effort to promote the use of the eco-friendly vehicles, the city
government is working to secure enough parking spaces to accommodate minimum
two electric vehicles and at least one charging station at each of Seoul 25
district ("gu") offices.

In recognition that lack of EV charging facilities is the biggest
challenge in promoting the eco-friendly vehicle, the city government, on May
28, signed a joint agreement with three large Seoul-based retailers.

Based on the agreement, Lotte Mart is planning to install EV charging
stations at its two branches in the city. E-Mart, on the other hand, has
installed one charging station that can accommodate two electric vehicles at
the same time, free of charge, while designating two parking spaces
exclusively for EVs at its Seongsu branch.

Within this year, E-Mart is planning to install EV recharging facilities
at six stores around Seoul and expand the service to 25 stores in the city in
a near future.

Home Plus installed an EV recharging facility at its Yeongdeungpo store
this month. The company plans to have all 25 Home Plus stores in Seoul
provide the service at the end, starting from larger stores such as those in
Jamsil and Mok-dong.

The agreement also allows visitors of the aforementioned stores to
recharge their electric vehicles for free, until the end of this year. Both
the city government and the businesses, however, agreed to join efforts to
extend free EV recharging service in the future and further prioritize
electric vehicle drivers.

In order to make electric vehicle charging service available for wider
audience, the city government also signed an agreement with the Korea
Transportation Safety Authority last year, to manufacture five highway speed
electric vehicles.

The vehicles can run 180km per charging and its top speed marks at 150km
per hour. Once certified by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, The
EVs will be used to monitor and control air pollution in town.

    Inquiries:

     Seoul Metropolitan Government
     Tel:   +82-2-727-0024
     Email: seoulpress@gmail.com

Seoul Metropolitan Government, +82-2-727-0024, seoulpress at gmail.com