The Korea Electric Vehicle Charging Service (KEVCS), operator of the domestic electric vehicle charging service Happecharger, has recently announced a complete ban on charging Tesla vehicles at its charging stations.
In September, KEVCS posted a notice on the Happecharger website under the title “Notice Regarding the Use of Electric Vehicle Charging Facility Adapters,” stating, “Happecharger stations will prohibit the use of all adapters, regardless of charging method.”
Tesla vehicles sold in Korea must use specific adapters, such as the J1772 adapter for slow charging or the CCS1 adapter for rapid charging, when using chargers operated by the Ministry of Environment, Korea Electric Power Corporation, ChargeEV, or Happecharger. Tesla Korea has been selling the KC-certified rapid CCS1 adapter in the domestic market separately since October 2021.
The fundamental reason for KEVCS’s ban on the use of Tesla adapters at Happecharger stations is compatibility. The company states that since compatibility tests between the chargers and Tesla adapters have not been completed, if any issues arise during charging, the responsibility falls on the customers.
However, some Tesla owners have expressed their inability to understand why KEVCS has only now decided to prohibit the charging of Tesla vehicles. There have been no reported incidents in Korea of Tesla vehicles getting into accidents while using Happecharger stations so far. Industry insiders speculate that this move by KEVCS might be influenced by the Hyundai Motor Group.
KEVCS became a Hyundai Motor Group affiliate in December 2021. The move is linked to Hyundai Motor Group’s intention to strengthen its electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Hyundai Motor Group has also implemented a “no adapter use” clause in its own operations, including E-pit, posting a notice that legal action could be taken if Tesla vehicles and others use adapters to charge at their stations. As Happecharger is part of the same group as E-pit, it is assumed to have followed Hyundai Motor Group’s internal decision.
Despite barring Tesla vehicles from using Happecharger stations, KEVCS is currently responsible for the installation of Tesla home chargers (residential slow chargers) and has expressed its commitment to actively support the installation of residential charging stations.