Seoul City to Distribute 7,000 Electric Two-Wheelers This Year... 3,988 Subsidy Applications Received in First Half

46% of Civilian Supply Allocated for Delivery Use... Accelerating 100% Replacement with Dedicated Delivery Vehicles by 2025
970 Units Specially Supplied to BSS Installers to Improve Charging Convenience for Electric Delivery Two-Wheelers

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 15th that it will distribute 7,000 electric two-wheelers this year. This is the largest annual distribution volume since Seoul began supplying electric two-wheelers, accounting for nearly 60% of the cumulative 11,798 units distributed over the past 12 years.

This year, the focus is on replacing internal combustion engine delivery two-wheelers, which emit large amounts of greenhouse gases and are a major source of noise in residential areas, as their driving range is more than five times longer than that of regular two-wheelers. The plan is to replace 100% of dedicated delivery two-wheelers with electric two-wheelers by 2025.

Applications for subsidies in the first half of the year will begin on the 22nd through the Ministry of Environment’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Integrated Website. Subsidies will be allocated differently based on size, type, and performance. Applicants must have resided in Seoul for more than 30 days as of the application date or have registered their business office there, including individuals, sole proprietors, corporations, and public institutions. Individuals are limited to one unit per person within two years, while sole proprietors, corporations, and organizations have no limit on the number of units applied for; however, those wishing to purchase five or more units must submit a business plan.

The supply volume for the first half of this year is 3,988 units: 3,000 units for the private sector public announcement, 970 units for special supply to BSS (Battery Swap Station) installers or participants in the Ministry of Environment’s regional zero-emission vehicle transition brand project, and 18 units for the public sector. Of the 3,000 units supplied to the private sector, 800 units (27%) are for individuals, 1,400 units (46%) for delivery use, 500 units (17%) for corporations, and 300 units (10%) for priority groups. In particular, to respond to increased delivery demand, 1,400 units, accounting for 46% of the total private supply, have been allocated for delivery use this year.

Separately from the private supply volume, 970 units will be specially supplied to BSS installation operators to facilitate charging convenience for delivery electric two-wheelers. This targets operators who install BSS with their own budget and those selected in the Ministry of Environment’s 2022 regional zero-emission vehicle transition brand project, supporting up to 10 units per charging station.

Additionally, Seoul requires electric two-wheeler manufacturers and importers to mandatorily submit information on whether they operate A/S call centers and designated A/S service points by region to ensure buyers can receive after-sales service more conveniently.

Meanwhile, buyers aged 75 or older, who are at higher risk of electric two-wheeler accidents, must submit a ‘Traffic Safety Education Certificate’ issued by the Road Traffic Authority. Seoul expects this measure to reduce traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers. Kim Jeong-seon, Director of the Climate Change Response Division, stated, “We will focus on replacing delivery two-wheelers that cause air pollution and noise in residential areas due to the surge in delivery demand to create a more pleasant urban environment,” and added, “We ask for the interest and cooperation of citizens and the delivery industry.”

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