Eco-friendly Vehicle Maintenance Standards... Establishment of Ultra-Compact Electric Vehicles and Increased Driving Range

Ministry of Industry Revises and Announces Regulations on Requirements for Environmentally Friendly Vehicles on the 12th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The classification criteria for eco-friendly vehicles are being realized.

Instead of the low-speed electric vehicles that are currently not being produced, a new category for ultra-small electric vehicles will be established. The standards for single-charge driving range and maximum speed will be raised to align with the latest technological levels.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 14th, the "Regulations on Requirements for Environmentally Friendly Vehicles" were revised and announced on the 12th with these key points.

This revision aligns the eco-friendly vehicle standards with the framework of the Automobile Management Act and updates technical details to reflect recent technological advancements.

First, among electric vehicle types, low-speed electric vehicles that manufacturers do not produce or sell have been removed, and ultra-small electric vehicles (passenger cars and cargo vehicles) have been added.

The combined single-charge driving range for ultra-small electric vehicles must be at least 55 km, and the maximum speed must be at least 60 km/h.

Additionally, the single-charge driving range and maximum speed standards for high-speed electric vehicles have been raised.

Previously, the single-charge driving range was uniformly set at 57 km or more regardless of vehicle type, but now it has been subdivided and increased to 150 km or more for passenger cars, 70 km or more for light and small cargo vehicles, 100 km or more for medium and large cargo vehicles, and 70 km or more for light and small vans.

The maximum speed has also changed from the previous 60 km/h or more to 100 km/h or more for passenger cars, 80 km/h or more for cargo vehicles, and 100 km/h or more for vans. The single-charge driving range standard for electric buses has increased from 50 km or more to 100 km or more.

Energy consumption efficiency standards have also been revised.

Hybrid vehicles were previously classified only by engine displacement, but going forward, they will be classified considering both engine displacement and vehicle size, consistent with the Automobile Management Act framework.

Accordingly, they will be divided into compact, small, medium, and large categories, each subject to different energy consumption efficiency standards.

A new energy consumption efficiency standard of "ultra-small vehicles 5.0 km/kWh or more" has been added for electric vehicles.

Standards of 5.0 km/kWh or more for light and small passenger cars and 3.7 km/kWh or more for medium and large passenger cars will be applied respectively. Previously, the standard was 3.5 km/kWh or more for passenger cars regardless of vehicle size.

Furthermore, the revision simplifies the eco-friendly vehicle registration process by creating a registration application form and clarifying the application procedures and responsible parties.

The Korea Energy Agency will verify whether the applied vehicles meet the energy consumption efficiency standards and technical details, and if necessary, conduct inspections and report the results to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "Previously, some vehicles with energy consumption efficiency ratings similar to internal combustion engines were recognized as eco-friendly and received benefits, but going forward, benefits will be improved to be granted only to truly eco-friendly vehicles."

The revised regulations take effect immediately. However, the changed technical detail requirements and energy consumption efficiency standards will be enforced starting July 1.

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