South Korea ups electric car subsidies in 2021, but does not help Tesla
Arif · Jan 25, 2021 01:47 PM
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South Korea will increase subsidies for electric vehicles in 2021, as part of the Green New Deal initiative from July 2020. The South Korean government will also install 31,500 EV charging stations and 54 hydrogen stations nationwide in 2021.
Hyundai Kona Electric
According to a report by Pulse, up to 19 million KRW in subsidies will be offered for those who buy an electric car this year. The budget allocated for 121,000 EVs is 1.02 trillion KRW.
The subsidy favours cars below 60 million KRW. Source: Pulse
Besides lithium-battery EVs, up to 37.5 million KRW in subsidies will be offered for those who purchase a fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV). The budget allocated for 15,000 FCEVs is 365.5 billion KRW.
The subsidy is given by both central and local governments and mainly serves to encourage traditional ICE automakers to shift electric. Hence, electric cars form Tesla don’t enjoy as much subsidies as the Hyundai Kona electric and Kia e-Niro.
To promote more electric cars for the masses, EVs priced between 60 million KRW and 90 million KRW will only receive 50% subsidy. Models exceeding 90 million KRW do not receive any subsidy at all.
The subsidy favours hydrogen fuel-cell cars and electric cars with longer electric driving range. Subsidies for electric taxis, buses and trucks will also increase to support small business owners.
Previously an engineer in an automotive manufacturing company and a highway concessionaire. A part-time research student on biofuels and diesel engines. Obsessed with vehicle electrification and the future of transportation.
