Suwon to Provide 7.4 Billion Won to Convert Old Diesel Vehicles to Low-Emission Standards

Suwon announced on the 16th that it plans to support a total of 2,600 old diesel vehicles in converting to low-emission standards by providing 7.4 billion won in subsidies to reduce exhaust emissions and improve air quality.

The city evaluated that the running diesel vehicle emission reduction project, which has been implemented since 2004, contributed significantly to the marked improvement in air quality, with last year's annual average fine dust concentration declining to 51㎍/㎥ (compared to 67㎍/㎥ in 2004), approaching the atmospheric environmental standard of 50㎍/㎥.

In particular, to secure pleasant urban air quality and revitalize the local economy, the city plans to execute 60% of this year's project budget in the first half.

The low-emission conversion support targets include diesel vehicles registered in the air management area with a total weight of less than 3.5 tons and a vehicle age of 5 years or more; vehicles with a total weight of 3.5 tons or more and vehicle age of 2 years or more that exceed soot emission standards; and vehicles with 2.5 tons or more total weight and vehicle age of 7 years or more classified as mandatory low-emission conversion targets by Gyeonggi Province.

Eligible vehicle owners can receive up to 90% of the costs required for low-emission conversion measures, including emission reduction device installation, LPG engine conversion, and early vehicle disposal. Additionally, vehicles equipped with emission reduction devices are exempt from special diesel vehicle emission inspections and environmental improvement charges for 3 years, while vehicles converted to LPG engines are permanently exempt from environmental improvement charges.

Vehicle owners wishing to install emission reduction devices or convert to LPG engines can select a device suitable for their vehicle and proceed with the low-emission conversion through the device or LPG engine manufacturer. For early vehicle disposal, owners can submit a "Confirmation Application for Early Vehicle Disposal Subsidy" to the Korea Automobile Environmental Association.

A city official stated, "Failure to comply with low-emission conversion obligations will result in fines and vehicle operation restrictions in the Seoul metropolitan area," and emphasized eco-friendly driving habits, noting that "eco-friendly economic driving alone, such as maintaining optimal engine speed, avoiding rapid acceleration and braking, can reduce energy consumption by 10-30% and reduce harmful pollutants including greenhouse gases."