Leading Low-Emission Vehicle Distribution... 187 Agencies Including Defense, Unification Ministry, and Financial Services Commission Fall Short of Mandatory Purchase Ratios

Ministry of Environment, 2020 Public Sector Low-Emission and Eco-Friendly Vehicle Ownership and Purchase Performance

(Photo) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] It has been revealed that 20 national institutions, including the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Unification, National Assembly Secretariat, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of Education, Financial Services Commission, and the Ministry of Personnel Management, failed to meet the mandatory purchase ratio of eco-friendly vehicles last year. This undermines the government’s policy to lead the public sector in purchasing low-emission and eco-friendly vehicles to achieve carbon neutrality. The Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Education, National Human Rights Commission, National Tax Service, and National Assembly Secretariat have submitted plans this year that fall short of the mandatory ratio (100% low-emission vehicles, 80% zero-emission vehicles).

On the 11th, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the results of the '2020 Public Sector Low-Emission and Eco-Friendly Vehicle Ownership and Purchase Performance' survey. Low-emission vehicles include electric, hydrogen, hybrid vehicles, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and gasoline vehicles that meet low-emission vehicle emission standards. Eco-friendly vehicles refer to electric, hydrogen, and hybrid vehicles excluding LPG and gasoline vehicles.

The survey results showed that a total of 609 public sector institutions subject to mandatory purchase bought a total of 7,736 new vehicles (including leases) last year. Among them, low-emission vehicles accounted for 78.3%, or 6,060 vehicles (5,494 vehicles based on eco-friendly vehicles), marking a 27.9% increase compared to the previous year.

Last year, 422 institutions (69%) achieved the mandatory purchase ratio (100% for low-emission vehicles), including 30 national institutions, 139 local governments, and 253 public institutions. Among national institutions, the order was ▲Korea Coast Guard (135.5%) ▲Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (125%) ▲Ministry of Employment and Labor (105%) ▲Ministry of Environment (104.8%) ▲Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (104.1%).

Institutions that failed to meet the mandatory purchase ratio totaled 187 (31%), including 20 national institutions, 112 local governments, and 55 public institutions. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries recorded eco-friendly vehicle ratios of 83.3% and 81.2%, respectively. The National Fire Agency (80%), Ministry of Education and Public Procurement Service (66.7%), Financial Services Commission (62.5%), and Ministry of Personnel Management (60%) also fell short of the mandatory purchase ratio. Among these, the Ministry of Environment plans to impose fines of up to 3 million KRW on 120 local governments and public institutions. According to the 2021 eco-friendly vehicle purchase plans submitted by national institutions, 15 institutions including the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Education, National Human Rights Commission, National Tax Service, National Assembly Secretariat, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea Forest Service, Saemangeum Development Authority, Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, Public Procurement Service, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and Ministry of the Interior and Safety have not met the mandatory ratio.

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