Gwangju City to Provide Subsidies for 1,400 Electric Vehicles This Year... Applications Open from the 22nd

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 18th that it will start accepting subsidy applications from the 22nd for a total of 1,400 electric vehicles, including 1,200 electric cars (720 passenger cars and 480 cargo vehicles) and 200 electric two-wheelers this year.

To reduce fine dust and greenhouse gases and improve a pleasant air environment, the city has been implementing an electric vehicle distribution project and has distributed 3,248 electric cars and 419 electric two-wheelers since 2013.

Eligibility for application includes residents registered in Gwangju for more than three months as of the day before the application date, companies and organizations with business sites located in Gwangju, etc. Subsidies are provided in order of vehicle delivery, and the project may end early if the budget is exhausted.

The eligible electric car models include 43 passenger car models and 13 cargo vehicle models from 16 companies, totaling 56 models. The electric two-wheeler models include 30 light models, 16 small models, and 13 large/other models from 29 companies, totaling 59 models. Supported models can be checked on the Ministry of Environment’s Low Emission Vehicle Integrated Website.

This year’s subsidies range from 5.34 million KRW to 13 million KRW per electric passenger car, 9 million KRW to 26 million KRW for electric cargo vehicles depending on vehicle size, and 1.2 million KRW to 3.3 million KRW for electric two-wheelers depending on type and size.

In particular, for electric passenger cars, the subsidy support ratio is differentiated based on the recommended consumer price according to the subsidy (national + local funds). If the vehicle price is under 60 million KRW, the full subsidy is provided; if between 60 million KRW and under 90 million KRW, 50% of the subsidy is provided; and if 90 million KRW or more, no subsidy is provided. This aims to resolve the regressive nature of electric vehicle subsidies.

For electric taxis, an additional 2 million KRW is provided beyond the maximum subsidy limit, considering the long driving distances typical of taxi operations and their significant impact on fine dust, encouraging higher electric vehicle purchase rates among buyers of vehicles with high fine dust improvement effects.

For electric two-wheelers, a minimum self-payment is set at 50% of the subsidy for light models, 45% for small models, and 40% for large/other models, which should be noted when purchasing.

Citizens wishing to purchase electric vehicles can check the announcement on the city’s website under the notices section, visit the electric vehicle manufacturer’s sales office to sign a vehicle purchase contract, and apply through the purchase subsidy support system via the sales office.

Electric vehicle purchasers who receive subsidies must comply with a mandatory operation period of two years according to Article 79-3, Paragraph 1 of the Enforcement Rules of the Air Quality Preservation Act.

Na Hae-cheon, head of the city’s Air Quality Preservation Division, said, “As fine dust and air pollution worsen due to the increasing number of vehicles every year, we ask for citizens’ active interest and participation in eco-friendly vehicles that are effective in improving the air environment.”

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