Ministry of SMEs and Startups Launches Pilot Project for Mobile LNG Refueling Business in Jeonbuk

Jeonbuk Eco-Friendly Vehicle Regulatory Free Zone, Mobile Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Charging Station Demonstration
Establishing Charging Infrastructure through Large Liquefied Natural Gas Vehicle Deployment

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Jeollabuk-do announced on the 23rd that they will officially begin the pilot project for the mobile liquefied natural gas (LNG) refueling business in the Jeonbuk Eco-friendly Vehicle Regulatory Free Zone. Photo by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Jeollabuk-do announced on the 23rd that they will officially begin the demonstration of the mobile liquefied natural gas (LNG) refueling business in the Jeonbuk Eco-friendly Vehicle Regulatory Free Zone.

Jeonbuk was designated as an 'Eco-friendly Vehicle Regulatory Free Zone' in November last year. It has attracted attention as an opportunity to create a market for medium and large commercial vehicles using liquefied natural gas (LNG) based on eco-friendly energy sources, as well as a stepping stone for the revival of Jeonbuk's automotive industry.

This demonstration is a 'mobile LNG refueling station demonstration' aimed at replacing diesel, the main fuel for medium and large commercial vehicles, with eco-friendly fuel. Currently, there are no legal provisions for mobile LNG vehicle refueling businesses, making it impossible to operate mobile LNG refueling services.

LNG commercial vehicles are eco-friendly vehicles that emit no fine dust compared to diesel vehicles, and countries such as Europe, the United States, and China are actively promoting the expansion of LNG medium and large commercial vehicle distribution.

In line with this international trend, the establishment of LNG refueling stations is necessary for the spread and distribution of LNG commercial vehicles domestically. However, there are only six refueling stations nationwide (Incheon, Daejeon, Pohang, Gwangyang, Donghae, Gimpo), which is far from sufficient to expand the distribution of LNG commercial vehicles.

Therefore, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups explained that the operation method of mobile refueling stations, which lowers the cost of building refueling infrastructure, is the optimal alternative to activate the distribution of LNG medium and large commercial vehicles.

In this demonstration, safety regarding fuel supply to LNG vehicles and refueling station operation will be verified at the mobile LNG refueling station produced and constructed as a special zone project. Based on the operation results, an additional mobile LNG refueling station will be built and operated in the first half of next year.

The Jeonbuk special zone has so far prioritized safety by obtaining approval from related ministries (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy) to establish safety standards for mobile LNG vehicle refueling facilities and preparing safety management manuals for refueling station operation. Through successful demonstration, they plan to ultimately establish technical standards and safety standards (legal grounds).

Additionally, starting in January next year, a demonstration of LNG medium and large commercial vehicle operation will begin by relaxing the current installation standards for pressure vessels (fuel tanks) of LNG commercial vehicles, allowing more fuel to be charged and enabling longer driving distances (up to 1.8 times the existing range).

The Jeonbuk special zone plans to promote the creation of new markets and market expansion for eco-friendly LNG commercial vehicles and refueling stations through full-scale demonstrations linking and integrating LNG medium and large commercial vehicle operation and mobile refueling infrastructure.

Kim Heecheon, head of the Regulatory Free Zone Planning Team at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, “The Jeonbuk Eco-friendly Vehicle Regulatory Free Zone project is closely related to the Korean Green New Deal policy, and we will continue to support Jeonbuk special zone to become a regional hub for completing the Korean New Deal. Since safety is very important in this demonstration, we plan to thoroughly conduct post-management through on-site inspections to ensure the safety of the special zone project while achieving results.”

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