Gwangju City to Support Early Scrapping of 2,760 Old Diesel Vehicles

Applications accepted on the Korea Automobile Environmental Association website starting from the 6th
Grade 5 gasoline and gas vehicles also eligible for support

Gwangju City Hall building exterior.

Gwangju City announced on the 3rd that it will implement the "Early Scrapping Support Project for Old Diesel Vehicles," which is promoted as a state-funded project by the Ministry of Environment, starting from the 6th.

This year, a total subsidy of 8.7 billion KRW (50% national funds, 50% city funds) will be provided for the early scrapping of old diesel vehicles. The program will support the scrapping of 2,760 vehicles, including diesel vehicles with emission grades 4 and 5, three types of on-road construction machinery (dump trucks, concrete mixer trucks, concrete pump trucks), and two types of off-road construction machinery (forklifts, excavators).

Diesel vehicles with emission grade 5 that are caught during the seasonal management period will be exempt from fines if they are scrapped early or fitted with emission reduction devices by September 30. For on-road construction machinery, the vehicle must have been manufactured according to emission standards applied before August 31, 2009. Off-road construction machinery must be manufactured and registered according to emission standards prior to 2004.

Notably, from this year, to accelerate the phase-out of polluting vehicles, gasoline and gas vehicles with emission grade 5 will also be eligible for early scrapping subsidies. If the vehicle condition is verified through the eligibility confirmation system, an additional inspection fee of 14,000 KRW will be provided.

To receive the subsidy, all of the following three requirements must be met: ▲The vehicle must have been continuously registered in Gwangju City for at least six months as of the application date ▲The vehicle must pass the regular vehicle inspection ▲The vehicle must be confirmed as operational during the condition check after being notified as eligible for early scrapping.

For grade 5 vehicles, up to 3 million KRW is provided for vehicles under 3.5 tons and up to 40 million KRW for vehicles over 3.5 tons. For grade 4 vehicles, the maximum is 8 million KRW for vehicles under 3.5 tons and up to 100 million KRW for those over 3.5 tons. Construction machinery can receive up to 120 million KRW in support.

Applications for support can be made through the Korea Automobile Environmental Association website. The association handles all procedures, including application acceptance, civil consultation, selection of eligible vehicles, and subsidy payment requests, in accordance with Ministry of Environment regulations.

The results of the eligibility selection will be electronically notified (via text message) by the Korea Automobile Environmental Association or posted on the Gwangju City website in early next month. For more details, refer to the notices and announcements section on the Gwangju City website or contact the Korea Automobile Environmental Association.

Na Byungchun, Director of Climate and Air Policy, said, "We are promoting the early scrapping support project for old diesel vehicles to reduce fine dust and carbon emissions," and added, "We hope for active interest and participation in early scrapping to improve air quality."