Ministry of Environment and Seoul City Sign MOU to Expand Electric Two-Wheelers
Seoul Supports Transition from Internal Combustion to Electric Two-Wheelers
"Electric Two-Wheelers to Reach 20% Share by 2026"
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is launching support to convert delivery internal combustion motorcycles (such as motorcycles) used by small business owners, which cause air pollution and noise, into electric motorcycles. Until now, Seoul has been providing subsidies for purchasing electric motorcycles, but it has now decided to cooperate with the government and companies as well.
On the 7th, Seoul announced that it signed a 'Small Business Electric Motorcycle Distribution Expansion Memorandum of Understanding' with the Ministry of Environment to promote eco-friendly delivery by small business owners.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is replacing the battery of an electric two-wheeler using a BSS (Battery Swap Station) at the 'Electric Two-Wheeler Supply Agreement Ceremony for Small Business Owners' held on the 7th. Photo by Seoul City
This agreement was made to cooperate among a total of eight organizations including Seoul City, the Ministry of Environment, Jongno-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, the Small Business Federation, LG Energy Solution, Daedong Mobility, and KR Motors to promote the distribution of electric motorcycles for carbon neutrality and to create a safe delivery environment for small business owners.
In particular, Seoul City and the Ministry of Environment plan to strengthen purchase support for small business owners and encourage the distribution of national standard electric motorcycles and battery swapping stations. The target is electric motorcycles that can attach and detach batteries conforming to the national standard (KS), regardless of the type of two-wheeled vehicle. At this event, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said, "I am pleased that this agreement can somewhat reduce the self-payment cost for small business owners purchasing electric motorcycles," adding, "Seoul will cooperate with all organizations to ensure the creation of a safe usage environment."
So far, since April, Seoul has been providing an additional 10% municipal subsidy when purchasing electric motorcycles. Among the 1,052 electric motorcycles distributed, 1,000 units were for private distribution. This year, the delivery-use distribution ratio was expanded from 25% to 30% of the total distribution volume compared to last year, and 300 electric motorcycles were separately allocated for delivery use. When purchasing a general small electric motorcycle for delivery use, the subsidy amount increased from a maximum of 2.3 million KRW to 2.53 million KRW.
Seoul plans to expand the proportion of electric motorcycles to 20% compared to internal combustion motorcycles by 2026, leveraging this cooperation with the government and companies. As of last September, among approximately 426,000 registered two-wheeled vehicles in Seoul, about 16,000 (3.7%) are electric motorcycles. Jongno-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, and the Small Business Federation will also support promotion of the electric motorcycle distribution project and education for safe operation. LG Energy Solution, Daedong Mobility, and KR Motors will support timely distribution of national standard electric motorcycles and battery swapping stations, including purchases by small business owners.
Additionally, Seoul and the Ministry of Environment will seek institutional measures to ensure safe operation of electric motorcycles, including fire prevention. Companies will continue to promote technological development for the distribution of fire-safe electric motorcycles and battery swapping stations.
Meanwhile, according to Seoul City, the noise from electric motorcycles is on average 11.9 dB (decibels) lower than that of internal combustion motorcycles. If driven 30,000 km annually, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 0.98 tons, which is equivalent to the amount absorbed by 100 thirty-year-old pine trees.
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