The province will soon release this year’s plan for electric vehicle subsidies. Analysts expect the national government to cut the number and amount in grants it offers for the purchases. Joseph Kim reports. Report
This is an auto dealership in Jeju City.
[slug] Auto dealership in Samdo-dong, Jeju City
The auto dealership is preparing to smoothly take reservations of electric vehicles.
A few days ago, as too many people tried to access the reservation system for EV purchases, the system broke down, and the reservations had been delayed.
INTERVIEW Hyeon Hoon / Auto dealership representative Electric vehicles now have a longer range, and charging fees are low. Drivers are becoming more interested in getting an EV, some as a second car. <인터뷰 : 현훈/자동차 판매점 부장> "주행거리가 계속 길어지다 보니까 고객분들이 많이 전화도 오시고, 중대형 차량을 갖고 있는 분도 세컨카로 많이 구입하시고, 또 연료비 절감 부분에서도 많이 대체가 되니까…."
The car dealership brand plans to produce about 4,700 EVs this year.
[slug] 1,000+ applicants reserved EVs January 17
More than 1,000 applicants reserved EVs of the brand on January 17, the first day of the opening of the reservation system in Jeju.
All of the EVs of the brand are already fully booked.
[slug] 800 EVs of another car brand booked January 15
800 EVs of another car dealership brand were booked on January 15, the first day of the opening of its reservation system in Jeju.
The driving range of EVs exceeds 300 kilometers on a single charge and the island is well equipped with its charging infrastructure.
EVs are getting increasingly popular.
However, only 3,600 applicants will receive subsidized electric vehicles on the island this year.
It’s a drastic cut when compared with last year when 5,100 applicants received subsidies.
[slug] National grants expected to shrink
The amount of this year’s national grants for EV purchase hasn’t been decided. But the amount is expected to be downsized.
As the demand for electric cars is increasing, the chances to get subsidized EVs would be low.
[Reporter] Joseph Kim [Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon
The province will publish this year’s plan of the national grants for EV purchase as soon as Seoul releases its plan at the end of this month.
