For a closer, and more in-depth, look at the plans to get more electric vehicles on local roads, here’s Mike Balfour.

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Province aims to get another 4,000 EVs on island roads in 2016

The province aims to put another 4,000 EVs on island roads this year.
So far, however, of the 1,700 applications for the EV purchase subsidy, only 100 applicants have actually bought EVs.
300 more EVs have been added to local roads during the first half of the year.

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Province boosts grant by \2m for electric rental cars, taxis

The island has released plans to encourage more to buy EVs.
The purchase subsidy has increased 2 million won for 2,000 more EV rental cars and 100 taxis.


A total of 25 million won, 21 million for a car and 4 million for a charger will go to an EV rental car buyer.
And rental car business owners can take a loan from the Tourism Promotion Fund at a low interest rate.

EV taxi buyers will get 30 million won, 26 million won for a car and 4 million won for a charger.


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More quick chargers, mobile chargers

Chargers which are crucial for the infrastructure for EVs will be added across the island.
Quick chargers and mobile chargers will be added at apartment complexes and nearby public parking lots.

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Free public charging stations

EVs can charge for free at public charging stations until 2017.
The province is planning to waive the acquisition tax, normally 7 percent of the total car price, for EVs.

INTERVIEW
Yi Yeong-cheol / Representative, Province
1.4 million won of the acquisition tax for EV sedans and trucks as well as half of the acquisition tax for electric buses are currently being waived. The province is consulting with national ministries on temporarily exempting 100 percent of the acquisition tax for EVs.
< 이영철 / 제주도 에너지산업과장 >
승용, 화물차 전기차인 경우 현재 140만원 한도, 전기버스는 50% 감면하던 취득세를 중앙부처와 협의를 통해 100% 면제하는 것을 한시적으로 추진할 계획입니다.

But relevant ordinances need to be amended for the acquisition tax waiver and the additional purchase subsidy will be provided only to future buyers.

Some point out that the province has been focusing on increasing the number of EVs, instead of considering EV buyers and drivers.

INTERVIEW
Park Won-cheol / Provincial council member
The province is now trying to increase the number of EVs. At the same time, it needs to make charging more convenient and encourage car insurance companies to develop policies more suitable to the island.
< 박원철 / 제주도의회 의원 >
보급 정책을 강화하겠다고 하고 있지만 그에 따른 충전 문제나 전기차 보험 문제가 제주실정에 맞느냐는 도정이 심각하게 고민해야 하지 않나.

The island plans to have all vehicles electric to realize Carbon Free Island by the year of 2030.

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Kim Seung-cheol

[reporter]
Mike Balfour

It has been three years since the province began offering EV purchase subsidies. Despite the benefit, popularity for EVs has dropped. The province is making an extra effort to put more EVs on the island’s roads.
Mike Balfour KCTV