Starting next year, all public offices will be required to replace over one quarter of their vehicles with electric cars, the government said Thursday, a move in line with South Korea’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Under a revised regulation on the use of energy by public offices, which will go into effect Friday, all government offices, including national universities, must choose from electric cars for over 25 percent of their new purchases and rentals, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
“The revision seeks to promote the use of electric cars that have the greatest effect on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating new jobs by requiring mandatory use of such vehicles by public organizations first,” the ministry said in a press release.
South Korea is moving to voluntarily cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent from its business-as-usual levels in 2020.
Currently, over 50 percent of public office cars are required to be either compact vehicles or environmentally-friendly cars, which include electric cars and other hybrids.
The move also comes as the government seeks to develop new businesses related to electric cars to promote clean, renewable energy.
Under the so-called new energy industry development plan, unveiled in July, the government aims to foster among other things rental of electric car batteries.
Source: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr
