Gwangju City to Provide Subsidies for 1,766 Electric Vehicles This Year

Up to 9.1 Million KRW for Passenger Cars, 13.6 Million KRW for Cargo Trucks, and 70 Million KRW for Vans
Up to 3 Million KRW Additional Support for Multi-Child Families

Gwangju City Hall exterior view.

The Gwangju City Government announced on the 5th that it will invest 20.4 billion KRW this year to provide purchase subsidies for 1,766 electric vehicles in an effort to improve air quality and expand the transition to zero-emission vehicles. By vehicle type, this includes 1,574 passenger cars, 177 cargo trucks, and 15 vans.

The electric vehicle subsidy (national and local funding combined) will be provided differentially based on vehicle performance and size: up to 9.1 million KRW for mid- to large-sized passenger cars, up to 13.6 million KRW for small cargo trucks, and up to 70 million KRW for mid-sized vans. For mid- to large-sized passenger cars, the subsidy has decreased by 1.1 million KRW compared to the previous year.

Starting this year, the full subsidy eligibility price for electric passenger cars will be lowered by 2 million KRW from 55 million KRW to 53 million KRW. Vehicles priced under 53 million KRW will receive the full subsidy, those priced between 53 million and 85 million KRW will receive 50% of the subsidy, and vehicles priced above 85 million KRW will be excluded from subsidy eligibility.

Eligibility to apply is limited to residents who have been registered in Gwangju for at least 90 days as of the application date, as well as companies and organizations with business locations in the city.

Additionally, when purchasing an electric passenger car, the following extra support is available: 20% of the national subsidy for low-income households, 20% of the national subsidy for youth (ages 19-34), 2.5 million KRW for electric taxis, and up to 3 million KRW based on the number of children in multi-child families. For electric cargo trucks, additional support includes: 30% of the national subsidy for small business owners and low-income households, 10% for farmers, 10% for those who purchase the vehicle for delivery purposes and maintain delivery business authorization for six months, and an extra 500,000 KRW for those who scrap a diesel cargo truck when purchasing an electric cargo truck.

It should be noted that purchasing an electric vehicle may affect eligibility for receiving basic pension or disability pension depending on the vehicle's value.

Citizens wishing to apply should visit a car dealership to sign a purchase contract and complete the application form and required documents. The dealership will then submit the application on their behalf through the Ministry of Environment's Zero-Emission Vehicle Subsidy Support System.

The list of electric vehicles eligible for subsidies can be found on the Ministry of Environment's Zero-Emission Vehicle Integrated Website, and information related to electric vehicle purchases can be found in the notice section of the Gwangju City website.

Na Byeongchun, Director of the Climate and Air Policy Division, stated, "The transportation sector accounts for 32% of Gwangju's greenhouse gas emissions, so we expect significant reductions in emissions and improvements in air quality through the spread of electric vehicles. We hope citizens will take an interest and participate in purchasing eco-friendly vehicles."