Suwon to Provide Up to 22.5 Million Won Subsidy for Electric Vehicle Purchases

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City announced on the 17th that it will supply 690 eco-friendly electric vehicles to the private sector in the first half of this year and provide subsidies.

The plan includes supplying 170 electric commercial vehicles, 400 electric passenger vehicles, and 120 electric two-wheelers. For electric passenger and commercial vehicles, Suwon residents, groups, and corporations who have resided in Suwon for at least two months as of the announcement date can apply; for electric two-wheelers, citizens, groups, and corporations who have resided for at least one month as of the announcement date can apply.

The project announcement dates are February 22 for electric passenger vehicles, February 24 for electric commercial vehicles, and March 2 (tentative) for electric two-wheelers.

Subsidy amounts vary by vehicle type. Electric passenger vehicles will receive up to 12.5 million won, and electric commercial vehicles will receive up to 22.5 million won in subsidies. Electric two-wheelers will receive 1.2 to 3.3 million won.

Applicants can visit automobile dealerships for their desired vehicle type, fill out and submit application forms. Applicants must prepare documents including electric vehicle purchase application forms, vehicle purchase contracts, and resident registration certificates (business registration certificates).

Those without disqualifying reasons will be selected as electric vehicle supply recipients in order of application, and selection results will be notified to applicants or vehicle manufacturers and dealers.

The city is continuously pursuing the 'Air Environment Improvement Project,' which consists of 'Air Pollution Prevention Project' and 'Air Pollution Reduction Project.' The supply of eco-friendly vehicles is one of the 'Air Pollution Prevention Projects.' The city supplied 680 units in 2019 and 1,061 units in 2020.

Public transportation is also transitioning to eco-friendly vehicles. In 2019, Gyeonggi Province first provided additional electric taxi subsidies from the city budget, and 24 units have been supplied so far. This year, the city plans to provide additional subsidies (50 units, 1.5 million won) from the city budget. Electric taxis are exempt from driving restrictions. So far, 164 electric buses have been supplied (94 units in 2019, 72 units in 2020).

The city plans to actively expand eco-friendly vehicle charging facilities from this year through 2023.

Electric vehicles do not emit air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine dust. Operating one vehicle can reduce greenhouse gases by 1.4 tons over a year. If a vehicle travels 20,000 km annually, it can save approximately 2.5 million won in maintenance costs compared to equivalent gasoline vehicles.

An official from the city's Climate and Air Quality Division said, "We will actively pursue 'eco-friendly energy transition' and continue to supply 'internal combustion engine-free vehicles,'" and added, "As the supply of electric vehicles increases, air quality will improve."