Gangbuk-gu Replaces Old Diesel Road Cleaning Vehicles with Low-Emission CNG Vehicles

Secured 900 Million Won in National and City Subsidies for Replacement Costs... Replacing 3 Old Diesel Road Cleaning Vehicles

Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) is leading efforts to improve local air quality by replacing old diesel road sweepers with low-emission CNG (compressed natural gas) sweepers.

The district operates 13 road sweepers (6 CNG vehicles and 7 diesel vehicles) to prevent road dust re-scattering. In the second half of this year, Gangbuk-gu plans to replace 3 of the 7 old diesel road sweepers that negatively impact air pollution (2 dust collectors and 1 water spraying vehicle) with CNG vehicles. The district received a subsidy of 900 million KRW from national and city funds to replace these 3 road sweepers.

CNG, made from methane, emits less carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine dust particles compared to diesel, and is mainly used in city buses. Compared to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) fueled vehicles, CNG vehicles have a lower risk of explosion during refueling, a simpler fuel system making maintenance easier, and produce less noise.

The three diesel vehicles scheduled for replacement will be sold on the condition of being scrapped, in accordance with the government and Seoul city’s diesel vehicle phase-out plan. The district expects that this will reduce pollutants from diesel vehicles and improve the cleaning work environment and vehicle maintenance efficiency.

Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “We are replacing old diesel sweepers with low-emission CNG vehicles to create a pleasant urban environment,” adding, “We will continue to expand the use of low-carbon energy to make Gangbuk-gu clean and clear.”