SEOUL, March 28 (Korea Bizwire) – With more than a thousand alternative fuel vehicles sold in the last two months, the city of Daegu is continuing efforts to encourage its citizens to make use of electric cars.

Of all 1,379 vehicles carmakers supplied to the southeastern city for private use, over 1,000 vehicles were sold, the local government announced yesterday.

Electric cars are thought to be much more efficient than conventional automobiles in terms of energy use and emissions reductions, and local governments in South Korea are stepping up their efforts to get more drivers interested in purchasing electric vehicles to tackle a number of issues together.

Daegu currently offers subsidies of up to 20 million won and a maximum tax exemption of 4.6 million won to anyone who purchases an electric car.

In addition, exemptions from toll fees and 60 percent parking fee discounts at public parking lots will be offered to electric car buyers in Daegu.

Government official Hong Suk-jun said, “To create an environment where electric car drivers don’t feel inconvenienced, we’ll accelerate the expansion of charging stations.”

As South Korea faces problems of air pollution and a lack of natural resources, the push for alternative energy use is expected to continue.

Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)