Seoul gets tough on fuel economy

The government yesterday announced a national program to reduce carbon emissions and raise fuel-economy of new cars starting in 2012 in an effort to combat global warming and energy shortage problems.

The plan will require passenger cars and mini vans with less than 10 passenger seats to run an average of 17 kilometers per liter by 2015 and produce less than 140 grams per kilometer of carbon emissions, officials said. The requirement will be enforced gradually, starting with 2012 vehicle models.

The national program would allow savings of 15 million barrels of oil and reduce 8 million tons of carbon emissions by 2015, the officials said.

"To effectively cut down carbon emissions in the face of climate change and energy crisis, the role of the transportation is important," an official said. The transportation sector accounts for 19.3 percent of the nation`s energy consumption and is responsible for 17 percent of carbon emissions in Korea.



The new auto rules were presented to President Lee Myung-bak yesterday.

In addition, officials said that the government will expand its green programs into other sectors such as the nation`s construction industry.

"Guidelines for energy-efficient buildings and reducing carbon emissions will be addressed soon by the Land Ministry," Kim Hyeong-guk, head of the presidential green growth committee told reporters yesterday.

Starting in 2012, carmakers would be required to secure registrations from government authorities after testing the fuel-economy or the amount of carbon emissions of new cars from designated private institutions.

As of 2012 or 2013, the government will impose penalties for carmakers that fail to fulfill one of the two sets of requirements. Ministries will introduce detailed plans within the year, officials added.

The government will offer additional incentives for carmakers developing cars emitting less than 50 grams per kilometer.

Automakers will be able to trade carbon credits with other manufacturers -- those who have failed to abide by the new regulations, officials said.

In return, Seoul plans to offer various tax incentives for green car buyers and subsidies for automakers` green initiatives.

The government also plans to set new auto tax rules based on fuel-economy and carbon emissions. Currently, the country`s auto tax is based on a car`s engine capacity.

These new developments are part of the government`s latest attempt to match other countries` green initiatives. The regulations will assist local industry to develop green technologies on cars and to meet the stricter standards being adopted in more advanced countries, officials said.

The South Korean carmakers are coming under pressure from their major export destinations - Europe and America - to make changes to these laws.

The European Union plans to lower emission standards to 130 grams per kilometer by 2012, and to 95 grams per kilometer by 2015.

The U.S. government plans to order auto makers to increase the fuel economy of automobiles sold in the country to 35.5 miles per gallon or 16.6 kilometer per liter by 2016.

About 820,000 vehicles or 31 percent of the total were transported to European countries while 770,000 were sold to North American markets. Korea is the fifth-largest carmaker in the world. The country exports more than 70 percent of its vehicles overseas.

(christory@heraldm.com)









By Cho Chung-un