Ministry of Environment Signs MOU with Hyundai Motor and Logistics Companies: "Switch to Electric Freight Vehicles to Reduce Fine Dust"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Ministry of Environment has pledged to expedite the transition of diesel cargo trucks to electric cargo trucks in collaboration with Hyundai-Kia Motors and five logistics companies to reduce fine dust emissions.

On the 24th, Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae signed a "Memorandum of Understanding for the Expansion of Electric Cargo Truck Supply" with Hyundai-Kia Motors and five logistics companies at the Lotte Global Logistics Southeast Logistics Center in Seoul. The five logistics companies are CJ Logistics, Hanjin, Lotte Global Logistics, DHL Korea, and Hyundai Glovis.

This agreement was established to swiftly convert diesel cargo trucks owned by logistics companies, which are major bulk consumers of cargo trucks, into electric cargo trucks to reduce fine dust and greenhouse gases.

The main contents of the agreement include the roles of each party in expanding the supply of electric cargo trucks, mutual cooperation, and public promotion initiatives.

First, the Ministry of Environment will provide purchase subsidies for electric cargo trucks and actively build charging infrastructure to eliminate charging inconveniences. Hyundai-Kia Motors will introduce various electric cargo trucks and supply sufficient quantities considering market demand. The logistics companies have promised to prioritize purchasing electric cargo trucks and replace their existing diesel cargo trucks with electric cargo trucks.

The Ministry of Environment plans to focus its efforts on promoting electric cargo trucks, which have a high effect on improving fine dust levels. They will continue the trend of expanding electric cargo truck supply by concentrating the installation of fast chargers for electric vehicles at key facilities such as logistics centers.

Additionally, the ministry intends to lead industry cooperation to accelerate the transition of cargo trucks owned and operated by logistics companies to future cargo vehicles such as electric and hydrogen vehicles.

In the second half of this year, the ministry will prepare a "Mid- to Long-Term Future Cargo Vehicle Transition Strategy for Delivery Cargo Trucks" together with the industry. This strategy will include phased transition targets for future cargo vehicles replacing diesel cargo trucks, detailed transition plans, government support, and institutional improvement measures.

Minister Cho urged, "I ask for the industry's active efforts and interest so that diesel cargo trucks, which emit large amounts of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, can be replaced by future cargo vehicles at an early stage."

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