Naju-si Accelerates Construction of Integrated Environmental Information Center for Full-Cycle Carbon Neutrality of Electric Vehicles

Published 26 Mar.2024 16:53(KST)

Naju City in Jeollanam-do is accelerating the construction of the nation's first integrated environmental information center for full-cycle carbon neutrality of electric vehicles to revitalize the post-use battery industry.

Naju City (Mayor Yoon Byung-tae) announced on the 26th that it recently held a kickoff meeting for the design service of the "Integrated Environmental Information Center for Full-Cycle Carbon Neutrality of Electric Vehicles" at the Osong & Sejong Conference Room in Cheongju, Chungbuk.

Perspective view of Korea's first integrated environmental information center for full-cycle carbon neutrality of electric vehicles to be built in Naju Innovation Industrial Complex. [Photo provided by Naju City]

In response to international carbon emission regulations requiring systematic management of carbon emission data throughout the entire lifecycle of electric vehicles, the Ministry of Environment plans to build the Integrated Environmental Information Center for Full-Cycle Carbon Neutrality of Electric Vehicles (hereinafter referred to as the Center) in the Naju Innovation Industrial Complex by 2026 with a national budget of 45.4 billion KRW.

The city completed the procedures for establishing the Center, including a feasibility study research service, basic plan establishment, and prior review and deliberation of the public architecture project plan by the end of last year.

Subsequently, it secured 5 billion KRW in national funds this year and began the full-scale design service.

The Center will be established as a platform to revitalize the resource circulation industry by reusing and recycling post-use electric vehicle batteries as circular resources.

The core is to establish a system that collects, analyzes, operates, distributes, and utilizes integrated environmental information on carbon emissions, environment, and resource circulation throughout the entire lifecycle of electric vehicles?from battery manufacturing and production to operation and disposal.

Additionally, from the stage of receiving used batteries, the system will be able to process battery pack or module diagnostic results, grade classification, safety inspections, and shipment history through a computerized system.

Standardized data and history information will be monitored nationwide, and distribution safety will be secured through transparent sharing of full-cycle electric vehicle information.

The city expects that the Center will serve as a hub for revitalizing the circular economy by addressing institutional gaps in the electric vehicle battery industry, responding to international carbon neutrality regulations, and securing domestic supply chains for key battery resources.

The "circular economy" refers to a new economic system that moves away from the traditional linear economy structure of disposing of products after use and instead continuously circulates resources.

It focuses on maximizing the duration of resource use (use extension), maximizing product use value (efficiency improvement), and recycling end-of-life products (circular systemization).

As environmental pollution, global warming, and international energy supply issues have emerged as critical global challenges, the establishment of a circular economy for carbon neutrality and the recycling industry for waste resources are gaining attention.

Accordingly, from this year, the government recognizes used electric vehicle batteries as circular resources, exempting them from waste regulations, and classifies and manages used batteries without cell damage or risks such as fire and explosion as circular resources.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, "Global greenhouse gas reduction and regulations, digital innovation in mobility using data-based AI, and safety issues caused by battery thermal runaway fires are emerging as new issues," adding, "The Center is expected to become a hub for securing safety in electric vehicle battery recycling as well as fostering a data-driven resource circulation industry."

He added, "Through cooperation with the post-use battery industrialization center established in the Innovation Industrial Complex, we will make all-out efforts to create a battery industry ecosystem, including attracting companies."