Seoul City Launches Full-Scale Distribution of Electric School Transport Vehicles... Up to 146 Million KRW Support Per Vehicle

Targeting the distribution of 4,400 units by 2030... Focusing on replacing old diesel vehicles to improve air quality
Subsidies ranging from 50 million to 140 million KRW per vehicle, with an additional 6 million KRW support for children's school buses

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 7th that it will actively promote the distribution project of eco-friendly electric children’s school vehicles to daycare centers, kindergartens, and academies from March this year to achieve carbon neutrality in the transportation sector and protect children's health.

Last year, 28 electric children’s school vehicles were distributed as a pilot project, and the distribution target for this year is 50 vehicles. Seoul plans to gradually increase the supply to distribute about 4,400 vehicles by 2030. This corresponds to more than half of the approximately 8,000 children’s school vehicles currently registered in Seoul, and the city intends to focus on converting old diesel vehicles to improve air quality.

This year, subsidies for the 50 vehicles to be distributed will be provided differentially according to the vehicle’s performance (fuel efficiency, driving range) and size. The subsidy amount ranges from a minimum of 50 million KRW to a maximum of 100 million KRW for mid-sized vehicles and up to 140 million KRW for large vehicles. In addition to the electric vehicle subsidy, an additional 6 million KRW will be provided specifically for children’s school vehicles this year.

The support targets are individuals, organizations, and groups purchasing new electric children’s school vehicles within Seoul. Vehicle buyers must sign a purchase contract with the vehicle manufacturer or importer and submit related documents to the manufacturer or importer. Buyers only need to pay the remaining amount after deducting the subsidy from the vehicle purchase price to the manufacturer or importer.

Meanwhile, a survey conducted last year on pilot project buyers (organizations) revealed that users requested improvements in vehicle battery performance and safety. Based on the survey results, the city plans to focus on building charging infrastructure this year. Last month, an online briefing session was held for organizations related to electric children’s school vehicles and manufacturers/importers, where various electric children’s school vehicle models were introduced and user requests regarding charging infrastructure were discussed. Discussions were also held on strengthening safety and applying advanced safety technologies.

Yoo Yeon-sik, Director of the Climate and Environment Headquarters, said, “We hope for the active interest of associations, labor unions, and citizens of daycare centers, kindergartens, academies, schools, and sports facilities in the electric children’s school vehicle distribution project to achieve carbon neutrality in the transportation sector and protect children’s health.” He added, “We will continue to expand the distribution of electric children’s school vehicles and strive to promote eco-friendly electric vehicles.”

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