Samcheok City to Support Early Retirement of 394 Old Vehicles and Construction Machinery with KRW 630 Million Investment

Samcheok City in Gangwon Province will invest a total budget of 630 million won to promote the 2026 Early Vehicle Retirement Support Project, targeting 394 old vehicles and construction machinery, in order to reduce air pollutants generated from aging vehicles and to create a pleasant atmospheric environment.

Exterior view of Samcheok City Hall.

The application period for the project begins on March 5 and will continue until the budget is exhausted. Applications can be submitted online through the Integrated Vehicle Emissions Management System website, or by registered mail to the Korea Automobile Environmental Association.

The eligible vehicles for support are: ▲All vehicles classified as emission grade 5 (regardless of fuel type); ▲Emission grade 4 diesel vehicles; ▲Type 3 road construction machinery manufactured under emission standards applied prior to August 31, 2009; and ▲Forklifts or excavators manufactured before 2004.

The amount of support will be calculated by applying a support rate to the first-quarter standard value of the vehicle, as determined by the Korea Insurance Development Institute, depending on the vehicle's type and model year. Additional subsidies may be provided under certain conditions if the applicant purchases a used or new vehicle.

From this year, some policies have been changed. All vehicles are now subject to a mandatory retention period of at least six months. The secondary subsidy for grade 5 vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tons has been discontinued. For emission grade 4 diesel vehicles under 3.5 tons, the secondary subsidy is available only when purchasing an electric, hydrogen, or hybrid vehicle. In particular, early retirement support for emission grade 5 vehicles will only be available until 2026.

A Samcheok City official stated, "This project is a key initiative to create a more pleasant urban environment by reducing old vehicles that emit air pollutants," adding, "As support for emission grade 5 vehicles will end in 2026, we hope that all eligible vehicle owners will actively participate."

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