[2021 A-Gyeong Fuel Efficiency King] "Even Car Racers Participate with Family"…Highlights of the Fuel Efficiency King Competition

On the 13th, participants are taking a commemorative photo at the '2021 Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition' held at the Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Headquarters in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi Province. Now in its 14th year, the Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition is the largest eco-driving competition in Korea, with over 1,000 teams and more than 6,000 participants to date. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The 14th Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition, which selects the best eco-friendly driver, was held on the 13th at Seohanam IC (Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Area Headquarters). This year, with the advent of the With-Corona era, participants enjoying the competition with their families stood out.

Yoo Seon-jae (42), a participant in the domestic gasoline passenger car under 2000CC category, said, "I have been participating in the Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition since 2019," adding, "This year, I also enjoyed the competition with my family." Ahn Jae-won (44), who participated in this competition with his wife and children, also shared his thoughts, saying, "Although my fuel efficiency was not better than last year, the weather was warmer this year compared to the previous competition, which was nice."

On the 13th, a participant in the '2021 Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition' held at the Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Headquarters in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi Province, is receiving a return pass confirmation at the return point, Deokpyeong Rest Area. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Race car driver and columnist Kang Byung-hwi also attracted attention by participating in a separate vehicle alongside his elder brother-in-law and this year’s competition winner Min Byung-yoon. Kang, who has participated in the Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition seven times including this year, competes with a different car each time. In this competition, he participated in the imported diesel category with a 1997 BMW 5 Series and recorded a high improvement rate of over 180% compared to the official fuel efficiency. Kang advised, "It is important to read traffic conditions carefully for fuel-efficient driving and to operate the vehicle delicately."

Reflecting the recent high interest in eco-friendly cars, representative domestic and foreign eco-friendly vehicles were displayed, attracting participants’ attention. The exhibited models included Hyundai Motor Company's Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Mercedes-Benz EQA, and BMW X5 45e.

On the 13th, at the Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Headquarters in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi Province, a young child who participated with their parents in the '2021 Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition' is delighted to receive a caricature gift prepared as a side event. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Various side events were also prepared for family participants. Popular activities included one-minute caricatures that distinctively drew participants’ faces, tattoo stickers for families with children, and photo walls for commemorative photos.

The competition categories were divided into seven groups: ▲ Domestic gasoline passenger cars over 2000CC ▲ Domestic gasoline passenger cars under 2000CC ▲ Domestic diesel passenger cars over 2000CC ▲ Domestic diesel passenger cars under 2000CC ▲ Imported gasoline ▲ Imported diesel ▲ Hybrid (electric + gasoline). Additionally, non-competitive events for electric and hydrogen cars were held. Among the participating teams, one grand prize winner received a fuel gift certificate worth 1 million KRW, and ten fuel efficiency kings in each group received fuel gift certificates worth 500,000 KRW each.

This year’s competition course covered a total distance of 106.4 km (taking about 90 minutes at 70 km/h). The route started from Seohanam IC, passed Hanam JCT, Dongseoul TG, Hobeop JCT, turned around at Deokpyeong Rest Area, then went through Singal JCT, Seoul TG, Pangyo JCT, Seongnam TG, and returned to Seohanam IC.

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