convenient battery charging
The convenience of battery charging and superior driving experience are making electric vehicles the top choice of Korean people. A recent survey by Water, a company that operates a network of fast charging stations and Consumer Insight Research Company, shows that up to 9 out of 10 electric vehicle owners have expressed their intention to continue to be associated with this green vehicle in the future.
Previously, some opinions expressed hesitation when buying an electric vehicle because they were worried about charging infrastructure, range or charging speed. However, a survey by Water shows that the majority of people who have actually experienced electric vehicles do not feel any inconvenience in charging their batteries.
Up to 81.2% of respondents rated the current electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Korea as "very excellent" or "generally good". Notably, only about 0.9% of car owners expressed regret when buying an electric car due to inconvenience during the charging process. This shows that the charging station system is gradually improving and meeting the needs of users well.
When searching for charging stations, the most important information that users care about is the charging cost (48.0%), the location of the charging station and the travel distance (46.9%) and especially whether the charger is working or not (35.0%). Interestingly, "how does the charger work" is considered an more important factor than "charging speed" (31.1%).
The main reason for using a specific charging brand is thanks to "good charger installation location" (47.1%), followed by "having many of that brand's chargers nearby" (33.7%) and "low charging costs" (26.2%). Up to 66.4% of electric vehicle owners said they have a "charging station or charging brand they regularly use", creating cohesion and familiarity in the habit of charging the battery.
Mr. Yudaewon - head of electric vehicle charging sales at Bright Energy Partners (Water) - emphasized: "User experience and behavioral data should be the starting point for designing charging infrastructure policies in the future".
Many business models related to charging stations are born
Meanwhile, in Vietnam, the Government is showing a strategic vision and strong determination in developing an electric vehicle ecosystem. Recent reports show that Vietnam has a significantly higher density of electric vehicle charging stations per unit of area and population than the US. This means that electric vehicle users in Vietnam can access charging stations more easily and conveniently than users in many other countries.
Notably, the demand for electric vehicle charging stations has prompted the emergence of many new models, such as the coffee shop and electric vehicle charging station model in Ho Chi Minh City. The cafes have a spacious space with about 40 hammocks for customers to lie on their backs or take a nap. The service price is quite affordable, the car charge is 8,000 - 16,000 VND and the soft drink ranges from 17,000 - 20,000 VND, the instant noodles are packaged for 5,000 VND. The services of sleepers, phone charging, bathing and cleaning are free.
Currently, in Ho Chi Minh City, there are nearly 20 restaurants, concentrated in Binh Tri Dong A, An Nhon, Binh Thanh, Phu Dinh wards, Binh Hung and Binh Chanh communes. This model mainly serves drivers and delivery people, providing charging areas, accommodation, bathrooms, toilets, some places with electric motorbike repair and maintenance services.
The Ho Chi Minh City Business Association (HUBA) recommends that the city expand interest rate support policies for investment projects in charging stations and infrastructure for electric vehicles.
HUBA has proposed that the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee expand the scope of interest rate support policies (according to Resolution 98 of the National Assembly and Resolution 09 of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council) to both enterprises in the old Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau at the same time, and propose to add new areas to the supported list, especially areas related to green transformation such as investment in electric charging stations and infrastructure for electric vehicles.
One of HUBA's specific proposals is to include items such as charging stations and green infrastructure systems in the interest rate incentive program, to promote businesses to participate more strongly in the sustainable transformation process, in line with the State's green development orientation.
