Gwangju City to Distribute 200 Hydrogen Passenger Cars as 'Eco-Friendly Vehicles'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kang Ki-jung) announced on the 17th that it will distribute 200 hydrogen passenger cars, which are eco-friendly vehicles. To this end, 6.5 billion KRW will be invested this year.

Applications for hydrogen passenger car subsidies will be accepted from the announcement date (January 18) until the project budget is exhausted.

The eligible applicants are citizens aged 18 or older, corporations, or organizations who have had a continuous residence in Gwangju Metropolitan City for more than 90 days prior to the purchase application date. Applications are limited to one vehicle per applicant.

The city plans to distribute 180 of the 200 vehicles to general citizens and corporations this year, and 20 vehicles will be allocated to priority groups such as vulnerable populations, families with multiple children, and first-time vehicle buyers.

Selection will be made in order of vehicle delivery, and a purchase subsidy of 32.5 million KRW (national and city funds) per vehicle will be provided. However, a mandatory operation period of two years must be observed.

Citizens wishing to purchase hydrogen passenger cars can fill out the application form posted on the Gwangju city website's notices and announcements section and submit it to Hyundai Motor Company branches or dealerships. The hydrogen vehicle manufacturer and seller will then apply for the subsidy through the purchase subsidy support system.

For more details, inquiries can be made to the Gwangju City Foundation Industry Division or the vehicle manufacturer and seller (refer to the Gwangju city website announcement).

Currently, there are 1,240 hydrogen passenger cars and 22 hydrogen buses distributed and operating in Gwangju.

Along with the distribution of hydrogen passenger cars this year, Gwangju plans to expand eco-friendly transportation by replacing 10 city buses subject to replacement or scrapping with hydrogen city buses.

Hydrogen vehicles, unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, have no engine and thus emit no air pollutants. They also have an air purification effect (removal of fine dust), contributing to greenhouse gas reduction and improvement of a pleasant air environment, making them eco-friendly vehicles.

Hydrogen charging stations in the Gwangju area include six locations with seven units: Jingok Hydrogen Charging Station, Donggok Hydrogen Charging Station, Imam Hydrogen Charging Station, Byeokjin Hydrogen Charging Station, Wolchul Hydrogen Charging Station, and Jangdeung Hydrogen Bus Charging Station.

Starting next month, the Maewol Hydrogen Charging Station (private operator) will begin operations, and two new units will be established this year, reducing hydrogen refueling inconvenience for hydrogen electric vehicle drivers.

By using the ‘Hydrogen Charging Station Real-time Information App’ (Hying), users can conveniently receive information services such as operation and malfunction status, number of waiting vehicles, and available charging capacity not only for Gwangju but also for hydrogen charging stations nationwide.

An Sin-geol, head of the city’s Foundation Industry Division, said, “We plan to continuously expand the distribution of eco-friendly hydrogen vehicles that emit no pollutants and have air purification effects. We will do our best to build charging infrastructure to ensure there is no inconvenience in using hydrogen vehicles.”

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