Gwangyang Launches Full-Scale Old Diesel Vehicle Emissions Reduction Project

Support for Diesel Vehicles Classified as Grade 5 or Lower
and Construction Equipment Manufactured Before December 31, 2005

[Asia Economy Honam News Bureau, reporter Kim Chunsu] On February 14, the city of Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, announced that it will implement the "2020 Old Diesel Vehicle Emissions Reduction Project" to reduce fine dust, nitrogen oxides, and other harmful air pollutants caused by emissions from diesel vehicles and construction equipment.

To this end, the city will provide 445 million KRW in subsidies for the installation of diesel particulate filters (DPFs) on 129 old diesel vehicles, and 55 million KRW for the installation of DPFs or engine replacements on four pieces of construction equipment.

Vehicles eligible for the DPF installation subsidy are diesel vehicles classified as Grade 5 for emissions, and must have been continuously registered in Gwangyang as of the announcement date (February 13, 2020).

Eligible construction equipment for DPF installation includes dump trucks, concrete mixer trucks, and concrete pump trucks manufactured before December 31, 2005. For engine replacement, eligible equipment includes forklifts and excavators equipped with Tier 1 or lower engines.

Applications are open until March 4. Applicants must visit the Environmental Division (4th floor) at Gwangyang City Hall with a vehicle or construction equipment registration certificate and the owner's ID, or submit their application by registered mail or email.

To check whether a vehicle is classified as a Grade 5 emissions vehicle, search for "Automobile Emissions Grade System" online, access the relevant website, and enter the vehicle number. At this time, it is essential to verify if there are any liens due to unpaid environmental improvement charges or local taxes.

The amount of subsidy is determined based on the specifications of the DPF or replacement engine. The subsidy for DPF installation ranges from 3 million to 9 million KRW, and for engine replacement, it ranges from 13 million to 30 million KRW. These amounts are paid directly to the equipment manufacturers.

Recipients of the subsidy must operate the vehicle with the installed DPF for two years. Removal of the device is only permitted with approval from Gwangyang City, and recipients must receive maintenance services (such as cleaning and call monitoring) from the equipment manufacturer.

In particular, if the DPF is removed within the two-year mandatory operation period, the subsidy will be reclaimed based on the period of use. Therefore, before applying, applicants should check the vehicle's age and condition to ensure it can comply with the mandatory operation period after DPF installation.

Kim Jaehee, head of the Environmental Division, stated, "The Old Diesel Vehicle Emissions Reduction Project can significantly contribute to improving air quality by reducing fine dust. We ask for the active interest and participation of citizens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.