Sejong, March 27 - The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) held 'EV Trend Korea 2023' from March 15 to 17, 2023. Starting with the opening ceremony on March 15, 95 companies participated in the event through March 17. The participants include Korean and international manufacturers (Hyundai Motors, Volvo, etc.) of zero-emission vehicles (electric/hydrogen) and companies in electric motorcycles, charging infrastructure, and major parts. Experts gave presentations on policies and technologies regarding electric vehicles. Also, an 'eco-friendly racing competition' was held in which electric car users drove around Seoul and were awarded for their economic driving performance. Many additional events related to electric vehicles took place, including an 'investment conference' to share investment strategies in the electric vehicle charging industry.

At the opening ceremony held on March 15, the government, companies, experts, and electric car users celebrated achieving the highest-ever supply of zero-emission vehicles (cumulative 430,000 units) last year and determined to increase the number to 700,000 units this year. Among the 332 companies that pledged the '2023 Zero-Emission Vehicle Transition 100 (K-EV100*)' at the opening ceremony, 'SK Rent-A-Car (passenger car sector)' and 'Lotte Confectionery (commercial sector)' received the Minister of Environment Award for the most transitions to zero-emission vehicles in 2022. Also, among the eight major electric vehicles released last year, Hyundai IONIQ 6 was selected as 'EV of the Year' and 'EV Selected by Consumers.' The Kia EV6 GT was selected as the 'Innovative Electric Vehicle of the Year' based on combining the judges' evaluations and the consumers' votes. Daeyoung Chaevi was selected as 'Electric Charger of the Year.' 

On March 15, the Ministry of Environment held an 'EV Policy and Technology Trend Conference' to introduce various EV policies and technology trends. During Session 1,  the environment ministry presented the EV Supply Policy of the environment ministry, the Korea Transportation Safety Authority presented EV Safety Technology, and the Applied Research Institute (ARI) of Indiana State University explained policies to accelerate the transition to EVs. Session 2 included △Volvo's presentation on the 'Status of developing electric truck technologies,' △Rho Motion's (an EV policy analysis agency) 'EV and battery market outlook,' and △S&P's (an international credit rating agency) 'World EV technology outlook.' 

Geum Han-seung, Deputy Minister of the Climate Change and Carbon Neutral Policy Office of the Ministry of Environment, stated, "The transition to zero-emission vehicles is huge and is becoming a new culture in the automobile industry. We hope this event will again remind us about the people's interest in zero-emission vehicles and serve as an opportunity to share useful information on zero-emission vehicles." He added, "The government will provide policy support so that the number of zero-emission vehicles can exceed 700,000 in 2023 and reach 4.5 million units by 2030."

Contact: Kim Yoo-ran, Deputy Director

Air Quality Future Strategy Division / +82-(0)44-201-6881

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr