Korea’s small diesel truck ban powers LPG-fueled models
South Korea plans to prohibit small trucks with diesel engines from new registrations next year, increasing sales of liquefied petroleum gas-powered models in the segment popular among local small business owners.
Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., the country’s two largest automakers, sold more than 30,000 units of their new 1-ton trucks with LPG engines in a week since they launched on Nov. 22, according to the Korea LPG Association on Wednesday. The sales were more than 12 times their weekly average this year. Such popularity prompted Kia to change the engine for the 1.2-ton truck to that powered by LPG.
Hyundai sold 25,180 units of the 2024 Porter II, while Kia sold 5,517 units of the Bongo III.
“LPG trucks with eco-friendly features and performance will usher in the ear of green lorries,” said an official at the association.
TO CUT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, NOX
South Korea is set to ban 1-ton trucks and small school buses fueled by diesel from January while allowing eco-friendly models such as LPG automobiles and electric vehicles. Small business owners usually prefer LPG vehicles as they are cheaper than EVs and more convenient for filling.
The government plans to provide financial support of up to 9 million won ($6,813) to owners of those gasoil vehicles when they scrap them and buy new LPG models.
To meet the country’s eco-friendly policy, Hyundai and Kia ceased manufacturing diesel compact trucks and replaced them with LPG versions. The automaking units of the world’s No. 3 carmaker Hyundai Motor Group installed 2.5-liter LPG-powered turbo engines, increasing the power of engines by 24 horsepower compared to diesel versions to ease concerns over insufficient power of LPG vehicles.
About 150,000 small trucks are sold a year in South Korea. Hyundai Motor expected greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen oxide (NOx) to fall by 16,000 tons and 1.1 million tons a year, respectively, if 100,000 LPG trucks are sold and each drives 10,000 kilometers (6,213 miles) annually.
Write to Jae-Fu Kim at hu@hankyung.com
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.
This article was originally published by a amp.kedglobal.com . Read the Original article here. .