Ministry of Environment Partners with SK Gas and E1 to Expand Conversion of Metropolitan Area 'LPG→Hydrogen Hybrid' Charging Stations

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Environment has decided to join forces with LPG suppliers SK Gas and E1 to convert urban LPG stations with good accessibility into complex refueling stations that combine hydrogen refueling facilities.

On the morning of the 23rd, the Ministry of Environment and the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding at the Koreana Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, to establish complex LPG-hydrogen refueling stations in the metropolitan area at an early stage.

So far, about one-third of hydrogen vehicles have been distributed in the metropolitan area, but hydrogen refueling stations have been somewhat insufficient due to difficulties in securing sites and residents' complaints. In response, the Ministry of Environment announced in the "2021 Environmentally Friendly Vehicle Supply Implementation Plan" released on February 18 this year that it would establish more than 50 hydrogen refueling stations in the metropolitan area within the year.

In addition, to rapidly convert existing LPG stations with secured resident acceptance, mainly in Seoul and adjacent areas, into hydrogen complex refueling stations through public-private collaboration, this memorandum of understanding was signed.

This agreement concretizes the memorandum signed last November and includes plans to promptly commercialize the business sites discovered so far through public-private cooperation.

The Ministry of Environment will strengthen support for the construction and operation of hydrogen refueling stations and actively promote institutional improvements for site expansion in cooperation with related ministries. SK Gas and E1 will identify suitable sites among their owned properties to prepare for the establishment of complex LPG-hydrogen refueling stations and will actively strive to complete construction at an early stage.

Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae said, "This year is a very important time to significantly expand refueling stations in Seoul and adjacent areas to create a turning point for the expansion of hydrogen vehicle distribution," adding, "We will actively discover and support such business types to greatly expand hydrogen vehicle refueling infrastructure and definitely resolve any refueling inconveniences."

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