[2022 Fuel Efficiency King] "Making Memories with Family"... Various Scenes

Participation of Gasoline and Electric Cars
Families Line Up for Caricature and Certification Photo Events

On the 12th, participants are registering at the '2022 Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition' held at the Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Area Headquarters in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province. / Hanam = Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] The 15th Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition was held on the 12th at Seohanam IC (Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Area Headquarters). This year, participants challenged not only with manual cars but also with electric vehicles. In particular, families participated and enjoyed various side events, making it a gathering that everyone could enjoy rather than just a simple competition.

Jeong Young-han, a participant in the domestic gasoline under 1600cc category, who came with his wife, said he came to check his driving habits. Jeong said, "I am active in an internet cafe, and seeing everyone pay attention to fuel efficiency motivated me," adding, "I want to see how my level compares to others in today's competition."

Kang Byung-hwi, a regular participant who is a race car driver and columnist, participated in the imported gasoline car category. He explained, "After the motorsports season ends, the Fuel Efficiency King competition is held, and I participate with my family," adding, "Last year, my improvement rate was about 200%, and this year my goal is 300%."

Min Hong-gi, who participated in the imported gasoline car category with a manual Toyota GR86, said, "I learned about this through a car club I was personally active in," adding, "Since it's a manual car and the ranking is based on the improvement rate of fuel efficiency, I think there might be some advantage." He continued, "I usually don't pay much attention to fuel efficiency while driving, but if I drive carefully today, I think good results will come out."

On the 12th, participants are taking part in a caricature event at the '2022 Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition' held at the Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Headquarters in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province. / Hanam = Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

This year, various side events such as caricature and group photo events were also held. The caricature event was especially popular, with family participants who came with children lining up in long queues. Yang Won-cheol, who challenged the domestic diesel 2000cc category, participated in the Fuel Efficiency King competition for the first time this year to create good memories with his family. Yang said, "When I changed my old car after driving 170,000 km, I never replaced the brake pads, and more than half of them were still left," adding, "Since I usually take care of fuel efficiency to the extent that I hardly use the brakes, I want to empty my mind today but still aim for first place."

Go Beom-gyu, a participant in the domestic gasoline under 1600cc category, participated with his younger sister and two nephews. Go said, "I have been very interested in fuel-efficient driving," adding, "I wanted to test how well I could achieve fuel efficiency by participating in the competition." He said that he usually avoids sudden stops, sudden starts, and speeding for fuel efficiency, and added, "Above all, I feel good because I can make memories with my family," smiling brightly, "I definitely want to win first place."

On the 12th, participants are taking photos at the photo zone during the '2022 Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition' held at the Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Headquarters in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province. / Hanam = Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Various eco-friendly cars were exhibited at the competition. Participants could directly board or look around the displayed electric vehicles and take photos, showing the growing interest in eco-friendly cars. The vehicles exhibited at the event included Hyundai Motor Company's premium brand Genesis GV60 and G80 electrified models, Mercedes-Benz EQB, Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, Polestar 2 from Polestar, and Chevrolet Bolt EV.

The competition required participants to drive a total distance of 106.4 km (approximately 90 minutes based on 70 km driving). The course started from Seohanam IC, passed Hanam JCT, the 2nd Jungbu Expressway, Hobeop JCT, Deokpyeong Rest Area as the turnaround point, then passed Singal JCT, Seoul TG, Pangyo JCT, Seongnam TG, and returned to Seohanam IC.

For fair judging, the competition was divided by car type and engine displacement. The participant categories were ▲Domestic gasoline 1600cc and above ▲Domestic gasoline under 1600cc and hybrid ▲Domestic diesel 2000cc and above ▲Domestic diesel under 2000cc ▲Imported gasoline ▲Imported diesel, totaling six groups. Additionally, an electric vehicle race was held in a non-competitive category.