City to start ‘electric car renting service’ in October

Kia Motors electric car Ray EV stands in a parking lot. Seoul City will provide 200 electric cars for a car sharing service program to be launched jointly with two companies aimed at reducing traffic congestion, saving energy and reducing air pollution. / Courtesy of Seoul City

Seoul City will launch an “electric car rental service” in October to promote environmentally friendly transportation.

The city signed an agreement with LG CNS and Korea Car Sharing, Thursday, to jointly provide the service.

The campaign is designed to help reduce traffic congestion, save energy and prevent air pollution.

The service will enable residents to rent cars for as short a period as one or two hours, whenever needed, by applying through smartphone applications or the website.

About 200 electric cars will be available in the initial stage.

The city will provide financial support for operating firms to buy electric passenger cars and install recharging facilities.

The cars can be rented at low rates from 6,000 to 10,000 won per hour.

Sungmisan Village in northwestern Seoul and Guro Digital Complex in southwestern Seoul are designated testing grounds. The city will assess the campaign based on results from these areas and then gradually expand it to other parts of the city.

There will be a website as well as a smartphone application through which one can make reservations and find out how many vehicles are being used.

“Because the adoption of electric cars is in its initial stages, its use is limited to the public sector, but the campaign is to increase access to the general public,” said an official.

“And through conserving energy, we hope that the move can also contribute to protecting the environment.” <The Korea Times/Kim Bo-eun>

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