[2020 Akyung Fuel Efficiency King] "Came with family and friends~" ... Scenes from the Fuel Efficiency King Competition

"Inertial Driving Following Road Flow" Cited as the Secret

On the 14th, award winners from each category are taking a commemorative photo at the '2020 Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition' held at the Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Headquarters in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The 13th Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition, which selects the best eco-friendly driver, was held on the 14th at Seohanam IC (Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Area Headquarters). Participants emphasized that the key to fuel-efficient driving is to understand the flow of the road well while driving.

Seo Jeong-su, the owner of a Hyundai Veracruz who won first place in the domestic RV & SUV category, said, "I used inertia driving a lot," and revealed the secret to his victory: "I maintained a consistent distance from the car ahead and tried to stop the vehicle as little as possible, driving steadily forward."

Notably, many first-time participants were seen this year. Park Joo-hyun (35), who participated in the imported gasoline category, said, "Rather than aiming to win, I joined to have a good time with my family and colleagues," adding, "I drove carefully by observing the lane flow and road shape well. For example, if I saw a branch merging point, I would avoid that lane to keep the flow uninterrupted."

Participant Ahn Jae-won in the imported diesel category said, "I happened to see the competition announcement online and came with my family for the first time," and added, "I tried to drive using only the accelerator while maintaining a safe distance to minimize braking."

On the 14th, participants are taking a commemorative photo at the '2020 Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition' held at the Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Headquarters in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Reflecting the recent high interest in eco-friendly vehicles, representative domestic and international eco-friendly cars were displayed at the competition, attracting participants' attention. The exhibited models included Hyundai Motor Company's hydrogen fuel cell vehicle Nexo, Kia Motors' Niro EV and Soul EV, Renault Samsung Motors' Twizy, GM Korea's Bolt EV, Mercedes-Benz's EQC, BMW 330i, and Audi e-tron.

Various side events were also prepared for family participants. Popular attractions included one-minute caricatures that uniquely portrayed participants' faces and photo walls where commemorative photos could be taken.

The competition was divided into six categories: ▲ Domestic gasoline passenger cars over 2000CC ▲ Domestic gasoline passenger cars 1600CC to 2000CC ▲ Domestic gasoline passenger cars under 1600CC ▲ Domestic RV & SUV diesel ▲ Imported gasoline ▲ Imported diesel. Additionally, non-competitive races for electric and hydrogen vehicles were held. Among the participating teams, one grand prize winner received a fuel voucher worth 1 million KRW, and ten fuel efficiency kings from each group were awarded fuel vouchers worth 500,000 KRW each.

This year’s competition covered a total distance of 106.4 km (approximately 90 minutes at 70 km/h), starting from Seohanam IC, passing through Hanam JCT, Dongseoul TG, Hobeop JCT, turning around at Deokpyeong Rest Area, then passing Singal JCT, Seoul TG, Pangyo JCT, Seongnam TG, and returning to Seohanam IC.