By Kim Minji
The Ministry of Environment has announced plans to expand investment in the environment through the automotive sector.
The ministry on Jan. 9 announced its plan to open this year an era of 200,000 eco-friendly registered vehicles by supplying electric vehicles (EVs), including those powered by fuel cells that are highly effective in reducing fine dust levels.
Seeking to replace diesel cars, which produce high levels of exhaust, with eco-friendly models, the ministry will support the supply of 84,150 EVs and 10,280 fuel cell-powered cars including through the distribution of electric-powered small pickup trucks.
Small pickup trucks powered by diesel fuel are mostly used for delivery or transporting cargo, with an estimated 3.6 million of them registered as of November last year. This vehicle type accounts for 15% of all registered vehicles but also 56% of fine dust emissions.
A ministry analysis found that the annual volume of fine dust emitted by a small diesel pickup is 8.49 kg, or about 10 times that emitted by a gas-powered vehicle (0.88 kg).
To keep up with eco-friendly policy, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors have released a series of small electric-powered pickups like the Hyundai Porter II EV and the Kia Bongo III EV.