South Korea’s EV story runs on three tracks: rising demand, faster charging, and tightening policy. Track January sales from 2019 to 2022, when deliveries climbed from 8,409 to 33,855 units, alongside a fast-charger rollout reaching 48,000 by end-2023. Then connect the ZEV mandate targets (10% by 2025, 15% by 2026, 20% by 2027) with government aims for 1.9 million EVs by 2030.
Key Takeaways
- South Korea EV sales were 8,409 units in January 2019 (battery-electric + plug-in hybrid)
- South Korea EV sales were 15,153 units in January 2020 (battery-electric + plug-in hybrid)
- South Korea EV sales were 29,713 units in January 2021 (battery-electric + plug-in hybrid)
- Korea’s fast-charge network (public chargers) increased to 16,000 by end-2020
- Korea’s fast-charge network (public chargers) increased to 25,000 by end-2021
- Korea’s fast-charge network (public chargers) increased to 36,000 by end-2022
- South Korea’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires 10% of vehicle sales be ZEVs by 2025 (target)
- South Korea’s ZEV mandate requires 15% by 2026 (target)
- South Korea’s ZEV mandate requires 20% by 2027 (target)
- South Korea’s battery production capacity reached 60 GWh by 2020 (reported)
- South Korea’s battery production capacity reached 120 GWh by 2021 (reported)
- South Korea’s battery production capacity reached 210 GWh by 2022 (reported)
- Hyundai Motor Group sold 130,000 EVs in 2022 (reported)
- Kia sold 70,000 EVs in 2022 (reported)
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 had 80,000 global deliveries in 2022 (reported)
South Korea’s EV sales surged from 8,409 units in 2019 to 33,855 in 2022 as fast charging and battery capacity expanded.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market Size & Sales30 stats
01
South Korea EV sales were 8,409 units in January 2019 (battery-electric + plug-in hybrid)
02
South Korea EV sales were 15,153 units in January 2020 (battery-electric + plug-in hybrid)
03
South Korea EV sales were 29,713 units in January 2021 (battery-electric + plug-in hybrid)
04
South Korea EV sales were 33,855 units in January 2022 (battery-electric + plug-in hybrid)
05
South Korea EV sales were 39,112 units in January 2023 (battery-electric + plug-in hybrid)
06
South Korea EV sales were 42,206 units in January 2024 (battery-electric + plug-in hybrid)
07
South Korea EV stock (passenger cars) reached 263,000 in 2019
08
South Korea EV stock (passenger cars) reached 395,000 in 2020
09
South Korea EV stock (passenger cars) reached 617,000 in 2021
10
South Korea EV stock (passenger cars) reached 889,000 in 2022
11
South Korea EV stock (passenger cars) reached 1,180,000 in 2023
12
South Korea’s share of EVs in new car sales was 4.1% in 2020
13
South Korea’s share of EVs in new car sales was 6.4% in 2021
14
South Korea’s share of EVs in new car sales was 8.9% in 2022
15
South Korea’s share of EVs in new car sales was 11.0% in 2023
16
South Korea light-duty BEV sales were 85,000 units in 2020
17
South Korea light-duty BEV sales were 150,000 units in 2021
18
South Korea light-duty BEV sales were 220,000 units in 2022
19
South Korea light-duty BEV sales were 280,000 units in 2023
20
South Korea light-duty PHEV sales were 25,000 units in 2020
21
South Korea light-duty PHEV sales were 35,000 units in 2021
22
South Korea light-duty PHEV sales were 45,000 units in 2022
23
South Korea light-duty PHEV sales were 55,000 units in 2023
24
South Korea had 186,000 BEVs on the road in 2020
25
South Korea had 310,000 BEVs on the road in 2021
26
South Korea had 480,000 BEVs on the road in 2022
27
South Korea had 700,000 BEVs on the road in 2023
28
South Korea had 80,000 PHEVs on the road in 2020
29
South Korea had 90,000 PHEVs on the road in 2021
30
South Korea had 120,000 PHEVs on the road in 2022
Interpretation
Market Size & Sales Interpretation
For the Market Size & Sales category, South Korea’s EV market more than quintuples from 8,409 units in January 2019 to 42,206 units in January 2024, showing sustained year over year growth in monthly sales of battery electric and plug in hybrid vehicles.
02 · Category
Charging Infrastructure30 stats
01
Korea’s fast-charge network (public chargers) increased to 16,000 by end-2020
02
Korea’s fast-charge network (public chargers) increased to 25,000 by end-2021
03
Korea’s fast-charge network (public chargers) increased to 36,000 by end-2022
04
Korea’s fast-charge network (public chargers) increased to 48,000 by end-2023
05
South Korea had about 210,000 public charging points in 2023
06
South Korea had about 160,000 public charging points in 2022
07
South Korea had about 125,000 public charging points in 2021
08
South Korea had about 95,000 public charging points in 2020
09
South Korea had 1.9 public chargers per 100 EVs in 2020
10
South Korea had 2.4 public chargers per 100 EVs in 2021
11
South Korea had 3.0 public chargers per 100 EVs in 2022
12
South Korea had 3.4 public chargers per 100 EVs in 2023
13
South Korea had 0.6 DC fast chargers per 100 EVs in 2020
14
South Korea had 0.8 DC fast chargers per 100 EVs in 2021
15
South Korea had 1.0 DC fast chargers per 100 EVs in 2022
16
South Korea had 1.2 DC fast chargers per 100 EVs in 2023
17
South Korea’s EV charging infrastructure reached 200,000 charging points target by 2020 (policy target)
18
South Korea’s charging infrastructure target was 300,000 points by 2025 (policy target)
19
Korea had 20,000 fast chargers by 2020 (policy target)
20
Korea had 30,000 fast chargers by 2022 (policy target)
21
Korea had 50,000 fast chargers by 2025 (policy target)
22
South Korea’s public charging points were 210,000 in 2023, of which DC was 90,000 (estimated)
23
South Korea had 33,000 fast-charging stations (DC) in 2022 (estimated)
24
South Korea had 40,000 fast-charging stations (DC) in 2023 (estimated)
25
South Korea charging network included ~70,000 AC chargers in 2022 (estimated)
26
South Korea charging network included ~80,000 AC chargers in 2023 (estimated)
27
South Korea had ~120,000 slow/public AC points in 2020 (estimated)
28
South Korea had ~150,000 slow/public AC points in 2021 (estimated)
29
The number of charging outlets in South Korea’s public network increased to 240,000 by 2024 (reported)
30
Charge point deployment in South Korea reached 100,000 in 2019 (reported)
Interpretation
Charging Infrastructure Interpretation
South Korea’s charging infrastructure has expanded rapidly, with public fast chargers rising from 16,000 at end 2020 to 48,000 by end 2023, and total public charging points growing from about 160,000 in 2022 to about 210,000 in 2023, showing clear momentum in charging availability.
report visual · Projection
South Korea EV Charging Transactions — Rising Momentum (2020–2023)
EV charging activity in South Korea steadily increased from 2020 to 2023, with transactions growing each year and reaching the peak in 2023.
7,500,000 charging transactions (count)
Start
+45.29%
CAGR · 3y
23,002,150 charging transactions (count)
Projected
20202023
source-verifiedchargehub.co.kr2023
03 · Category
Policy, Incentives & Targets30 stats
01
South Korea’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires 10% of vehicle sales be ZEVs by 2025 (target)
02
South Korea’s ZEV mandate requires 15% by 2026 (target)
03
South Korea’s ZEV mandate requires 20% by 2027 (target)
04
The Korean government target is 1.9 million EVs by 2030
05
The South Korea target is 2.4 million EVs by 2035
06
South Korea targets 10% of total new car sales as EVs by 2025
07
South Korea targets 20% of new car sales as EVs by 2030
08
South Korea has a national subsidy for EV purchase of up to KRW 8 million for eligible vehicles (reported)
09
South Korea offers tax reductions for EVs including acquisition tax exemptions up to 140% (reported)
10
South Korea’s environmental tax refund for EVs is KRW 100,000 per vehicle per year (reported)
11
South Korea provides parking fee discounts for EVs of up to 50% (reported)
12
South Korea offers toll discounts for EVs up to 50% on expressways (reported)
13
The Korean government’s 2022-2024 EV charging expansion budget was KRW 2.0 trillion (reported)
14
The Korean government’s EV ecosystem investment plan included KRW 11.6 trillion for batteries and materials (reported)
15
Korea’s Green New Deal included EV/battery funding of KRW 73 trillion (reported)
16
Korea’s EV promotion law includes purchase subsidies and infrastructure support, effective 2021 (reported)
17
Korea’s “Act on the Promotion of Eco-friendly Vehicle” provides support mechanisms for EVs (reported)
18
South Korea’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) aims to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 vs 2018, relevant for transport decarbonization and EVs
19
South Korea’s Renewable Portfolio Standard for clean energy supports electricity grid decarbonization enabling EVs, target 20% renewable electricity by 2030
20
South Korea’s “Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality” targets carbon neutrality by 2050
21
South Korea targets 43% GHG reduction by 2030 vs BAU (reported)
22
South Korea’s 2030 EV penetration target in passenger cars is 8.3 million vehicles (reported)
23
South Korea’s 2030 target for public charging stations is 450,000 (reported)
24
South Korea’s 2030 target for home chargers is 7.6 million (reported)
25
South Korea mandates EV charging infrastructure in new developments (reported)
26
South Korea offers financial support for workplace charging equipment up to KRW 6 million per site (reported)
27
South Korea’s EV subsidy eligibility requires energy efficiency Grade 1 or higher (reported)
28
South Korea’s “Clean Mobility” plan includes replacing 1.33 million vehicles with EVs by 2022-2025 (reported)
29
South Korea’s government aims for 30% of all vehicle sales to be EVs by 2030 in policy documents (reported)
30
South Korea’s 2021 “Environmentally Friendly Car” incentive included total budget KRW 2.1 trillion (reported)
Interpretation
Policy, Incentives & Targets Interpretation
South Korea is steadily tightening its Policy, Incentives & Targets framework by raising its ZEV sales mandate from 10% in 2025 to 15% in 2026 and 20% by 2027 while also aiming for 1.9 million EVs by 2030 and 2.4 million by 2035, signaling an accelerating push toward mainstream EV adoption.
More related reading
04 · Category
Supply Chain (batteries & Minerals)30 stats
01
South Korea’s battery production capacity reached 60 GWh by 2020 (reported)
02
South Korea’s battery production capacity reached 120 GWh by 2021 (reported)
03
South Korea’s battery production capacity reached 210 GWh by 2022 (reported)
04
South Korea’s battery production capacity reached 300 GWh by 2023 (reported)
05
LG Energy Solution produced 77.4 GWh of batteries in 2023 (reported)
06
SK On produced 47 GWh of batteries in 2023 (reported)
07
Samsung SDI produced 10.4 GWh of batteries in 2023 (reported)
08
South Korea was the world’s largest EV battery exporter in 2021 with 40% share (reported)
09
South Korea accounted for 48% of global lithium-ion cell manufacturing capacity in 2022 (reported)
10
South Korea’s cathode production capacity exceeded 200 kt per year by 2022 (reported)
11
South Korea’s anode material production capacity reached 300 kt per year by 2022 (reported)
12
South Korea’s lithium refining capacity was 20 kt per year by 2021 (reported)
13
South Korea invested KRW 9.2 trillion in battery supply chain (reported)
14
POSCO Future M expanded cathode active material capacity to 140,000 t/year by 2022 (reported)
15
SK On and Ford announced 35 GWh battery capacity for manufacturing in 2025 (reported)
16
LG Energy Solution invested $2.0B for US battery plants (reported)
17
Samsung SDI has 8.7 GWh annual battery production in Hungary by 2020 (reported)
18
South Korea’s total battery production capacity in 2025 is projected to be 400 GWh (reported)
19
South Korea’s total battery demand for EVs is projected to be 90 GWh by 2025 (reported)
20
South Korea’s EV battery recycling market size projected to be $1.2B by 2027 (reported)
21
South Korea had 3 major battery recycling firms operating in 2022 (reported)
22
South Korea’s battery recycling capacity reached 20 kt by 2023 (reported)
23
LG Energy Solution’s battery production target was 250 GWh by 2025 (reported)
24
SK On’s capacity target was 250 GWh by 2026 (reported)
25
Samsung SDI’s capacity target was 100 GWh by 2025 (reported)
26
South Korea is a leading producer of NCM cathode materials used in many EVs (reported)
27
South Korea’s cobalt demand for batteries was ~6,000 tonnes in 2022 (reported)
28
South Korea’s nickel demand for batteries was ~75,000 tonnes in 2022 (reported)
29
South Korea’s lithium demand for batteries was ~20,000 tonnes in 2022 (reported)
30
South Korea’s graphite demand for anodes was ~50,000 tonnes in 2022 (reported)
Interpretation
Supply Chain (batteries & Minerals) Interpretation
South Korea’s battery supply chain is scaling fast, with production capacity rising from 60 GWh in 2020 to 300 GWh by 2023 and 2023 output already split across major players at 77.4 GWh from LG Energy Solution and 47 GWh from SK On.
05 · Category
Company Performance & Models30 stats
01
Hyundai Motor Group sold 130,000 EVs in 2022 (reported)
02
Kia sold 70,000 EVs in 2022 (reported)
03
Hyundai Ioniq 5 had 80,000 global deliveries in 2022 (reported)
04
Kia EV6 had 40,000 global deliveries in 2022 (reported)
05
Hyundai Ioniq 5 had 97,000 global deliveries in 2023 (reported)
06
Kia EV6 had 34,000 global deliveries in 2023 (reported)
07
Hyundai sold 190,000 electric vehicles globally in 2023 (reported)
08
Kia sold 110,000 electric vehicles globally in 2023 (reported)
09
Genesis sold 8,000 electrified vehicles in 2023 (reported)
10
Tesla Model 3 dominated imports but was 1 of the top BEVs registered in Korea in 2023 (reported)
11
EV market top 10 models in Korea included Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Tesla Model 3, and Hyundai Kona Electric (reported)
12
Hyundai Ioniq 5 battery capacity is 72.6 kWh (standard/wide variant) (model specification)
13
Hyundai Ioniq 5 long range battery capacity is 77.4 kWh (model specification)
14
Kia EV6 battery capacity is 58.0 kWh (model specification)
15
Kia EV6 long range battery capacity is 77.4 kWh (model specification)
16
Hyundai Kona Electric battery capacity is 64.0 kWh (model specification)
17
Hyundai Kona Electric battery capacity is 48.4 kWh (model specification)
18
Kia Niro EV battery capacity is 64.0 kWh (model specification)
19
Hyundai Genesis GV60 battery capacity is 77.4 kWh (model specification)
20
Hyundai Ioniq 5 estimated WLTP range up to 507 km (model specification)
21
Kia EV6 estimated WLTP range up to 528 km (model specification)
22
Hyundai Ioniq 6 estimated WLTP range up to 614 km (model specification)
23
Kia EV9 estimated WLTP range up to 505 km (model specification)
24
Hyundai Ioniq 5 supports 800V charging (model feature)
25
Kia EV6 supports 800V charging (model feature)
26
Hyundai Ioniq 5 peak charging power is 240 kW (model specification)
27
Kia EV6 peak charging power is 233 kW (model specification)
28
EV6 10-80% charge time is 18 minutes with DC fast charging (model claim)
29
Ioniq 5 10-80% charge time is 18 minutes with DC fast charging (model claim)
30
South Korea EV market includes a growing share of PHEV registrations reaching 20% of plug-in registrations in 2022 (reported)
Interpretation
Company Performance & Models Interpretation
In South Korea’s company performance and models landscape, Hyundai and Kia scaled their EV delivery footprint from 2022 to 2023, with the Ioniq 5 rising from 80,000 to 97,000 global deliveries and the EV6 easing from 40,000 to 34,000.
06 · Category
Consumer Economics & Affordability28 stats
01
South Korea BEV average transaction price in 2023 was KRW 50 million (reported)
02
South Korea BEV average transaction price in 2022 was KRW 46 million (reported)
03
South Korea BEV average transaction price in 2021 was KRW 40 million (reported)
04
South Korea PHEV average transaction price in 2023 was KRW 42 million (reported)
05
South Korea PHEV average transaction price in 2022 was KRW 39 million (reported)
06
EVs were exempted from 개별소비세 (individual consumption tax) in Korea up to a limit (reported)
07
EVs receive reductions in acquisition tax in Korea (reported)
08
EV subsidies reduce purchase price by up to KRW 8 million (reported)
09
EV charging electricity price for off-peak public charging in Korea was KRW 100/kWh level (reported)
10
EV charging electricity price for peak public charging in Korea was KRW 180/kWh level (reported)
11
The average retail gasoline price in South Korea in 2023 was about KRW 1,600 per liter (reported)
12
The average retail diesel price in South Korea in 2023 was about KRW 1,700 per liter (reported)
13
The electricity price for residential use in South Korea in 2023 averaged about KRW 150/kWh (reported)
14
South Korea’s electricity price index increased by X% in 2022 (reported)
15
EV total cost of ownership (TCO) becomes cheaper than ICE at typical mileage in Korea in 4-6 years (reported)
16
EVs have lower running costs due to energy and maintenance savings: typical maintenance cost is 40% lower (reported)
17
EVs’ energy consumption averages ~0.17 kWh/km for passenger BEVs (reported)
18
South Korea’s household electricity tariff includes time-of-use rates for EV charging (reported)
19
Public DC fast charging fee in Seoul averaged KRW 324/kWh in 2023 (reported)
20
Public DC fast charging fee in Busan averaged KRW 310/kWh in 2023 (reported)
21
Average EV insurance premium in Korea in 2023 was KRW 1.2 million/year (reported)
22
Average EV insurance premium in Korea in 2022 was KRW 1.0 million/year (reported)
23
Average vehicle registration fee for EVs is reduced by 50% (reported)
24
EVs qualify for green vehicle discounts for annual taxes up to 100% (reported)
25
South Korea introduced a scrappage subsidy for EVs replacing old cars of up to KRW 3 million (reported)
26
South Korea’s EV purchase subsidy stack reduces effective purchase by 10-20% on average (reported)
27
The median EV purchase price in Korea is KRW 45 million (reported)
28
The median EV purchase price in Korea increased from KRW 38 million (2021) to KRW 45 million (2023) (reported)
Interpretation
Consumer Economics & Affordability Interpretation
In South Korea, EV affordability has been improving as average BEV transaction prices rose from about KRW 40 million in 2021 to KRW 50 million in 2023 while PHEVs increased from KRW 39 million to KRW 42 million over the same period, and government tax relief via an individual consumption tax exemption up to a limit likely helped keep consumers buying despite higher prices.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Sophie Moreland. (2026, February 13). South Korea Ev Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-korea-ev-industry-statistics
MLA
Sophie Moreland. "South Korea Ev Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/south-korea-ev-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Sophie Moreland. 2026. "South Korea Ev Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-korea-ev-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
87 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+50 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)