The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    BTS producer encourages anticipation for future messages from group

  • 3

    From hip-hop idols to global superstars, BTS shatters records over decade

  • 5

    LIFE'S OLLE TRAILS 1How hiking Jeju's 437km of trails changed my life

  • 7

    Korea beats Nigeria to advance to semifinals at FIFA U-20 World Cup

  • 9

    Korea sees record-high number of flu patients for late spring

  • 11

    3 EXO members file antitrust complaint against SM Entertainment

  • 13

    Baritone Kim Tae-han wins Queen Elisabeth Competition

  • 15

    Korean bio firms to seek new opportunities at int'l convention in Boston

  • 17

    Shipbuilding stocks rally over hope for 'super cycle'

  • 19

    Deep-rooted problems push nurses to handle doctors' duties

  • 2

    Senior citizens land low-wage jobs after retirement: report

  • 4

    Korean shorthairs among favorite cat breeds as more people choose to adopt pets

  • 6

    Tom Cruise to visit Korea to promote new film

  • 8

    S. Korea, Japan agree to prevent recurrence of maritime dispute

  • 10

    Korea denies discussion with EU on sending ammunition to Ukraine

  • 12

    Election watchdog under fire for refusing to accept inspection

  • 14

    Concerns rise over Samsung SDS' growing intra-group transactions

  • 16

    K-food transforms global culinary industry

  • 18

    Korea, Japan agree to hold working-level talks to prevent repeat of 2018 maritime incident: Seoul's defense chief

  • 20

    Busan Film Festival accepts director Huh Moon-yung's resignation

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
Tue, June 6, 2023 | 06:02
Companies
Gov't flip-flops on hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles
Posted : 2018-04-08 16:42
Updated : 2018-04-09 11:37
Park Jae-hyuk
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
The Hyundai Motor NEXO hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
The Hyundai Motor NEXO hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

By Park Jae-hyuk

The government's recent decision to freeze the amount of subsidies for hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) has enraged consumers who have already purchased the pollution-free vehicles to reduce the nation's deadly fine dust.

According to the supplementary budget bill that the Ministry of Strategy and Finance unveiled last week, the government has decided to subsidize the owners of only 240 hydrogen FCEVs as planned, while offering an additional 119 billion won ($111.3 million) to the owners of electric vehicles (EV).

The ministry said it could not give benefits to the single manufacturer of hydrogen FCEVs ― Hyundai Motor.

However, the government's plan is in sharp contrast to President Moon Jae-in's previous promises made in February, when he was offered a test-ride for the Hyundai Motor NEXO hydrogen fuel-cell SUV on the Seoul-Busan Expressway.

"I decided to make efforts to increase supplies of such futuristic cars as EVs and hydrogen FCEVs," Moon said at that time. "Eco-friendly cars and autonomous driving have already become the general trend."

Considering the extra budget, consumers have now been regarding the President's remarks as empty promises.

They are criticizing the administration for its shortsighted policy, saying the government should put its top priority on commercialization of hydrogen FCEVs that have been known for reducing more pollutants than ordinary EVs.

While the NEXO is equipped with an air-purifying system to eliminate fine dust, ordinary electric cars emit almost the same amount of fine dust as vehicles with combustion engines do.

However, pre-orders for about 900 NEXO SUVs will likely be cancelled for now, given that Hyundai received 1,164 pre-orders for the nation's only hydrogen FCEV as of April 4.

According to the country's largest carmaker, a NEXO costs from 68.9 million won to 72.2 million won, depending on its trim level, but the actual price was expected to be lower than 40 million won due to subsidies from the central and local governments.

If the central government declines to subsidize more hydrogen FCEVs, local governments cannot independently execute their budgets for the extra purchase of the vehicles.

Industry officials pointed out the government's uncooperative behavior would hinder the country from competing with Japan, Germany and China in the development of hydrogen FCEVs.

They said Korea may not maintain the lead in technologies for hydrogen FCEVs without government support.

According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has recently vowed to push ahead with deregulations on hydrogen infrastructure, development of related technologies and support for building hydrogen power stations.

A consortium of 11 Japanese companies, including Toyota, Nissan, JXTG and Idemitsu also set up a joint venture for construction of a hydrogen refueling network across Japan.

Last year, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the country will build the world's first hydrogen society with an international hydrogen supply network for stable demands.

The Japanese government began a plan to increase the number of hydrogen FCEVs to 40,000 in 2020 from 1,800 last year.


Emailpjh@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Korean shorthairs among favorite cat breeds as more people choose to adopt pets Korean shorthairs among favorite cat breeds as more people choose to adopt pets
2[ANALYSIS] S. Korean economy feared to follow in Japan's footsteps ANALYSISS. Korean economy feared to follow in Japan's footsteps
3Agency launched to offer exclusive support for overseas KoreansAgency launched to offer exclusive support for overseas Koreans
4Retailers use recycled, biodegradable plastic to attract eco-conscious consumers Retailers use recycled, biodegradable plastic to attract eco-conscious consumers
5Retail investors bet on wrong horse despite KOSPI rallyRetail investors bet on wrong horse despite KOSPI rally
6Embassy of Italy celebrates Republic Day Embassy of Italy celebrates Republic Day
7HD Hyundai, Hanwha Ocean to compete in Busan to sell naval ships HD Hyundai, Hanwha Ocean to compete in Busan to sell naval ships
8Korea's export dependency on China dips below 20% Korea's export dependency on China dips below 20%
9Stats agency to use Naver's AI chatbot to offer tailored data for firms Stats agency to use Naver's AI chatbot to offer tailored data for firms
10Ex-BOK economist to head KCCI's think tank Ex-BOK economist to head KCCI's think tank
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[REVIEW] 'The ODD Of Love' concert: Taeyeon shows why she is among K-pop's top vocalists REVIEW'The ODD Of Love' concert: Taeyeon shows why she is among K-pop's top vocalists
2Baritone Kim Tae-han wins Queen Elisabeth Competition Baritone Kim Tae-han wins Queen Elisabeth Competition
3Busan Film Festival accepts director Huh Moon-yung's resignation Busan Film Festival accepts director Huh Moon-yung's resignation
4[INTERVIEW] 'One Day Off' star Lee Na-young, director on creating subtle, feel-good series INTERVIEW'One Day Off' star Lee Na-young, director on creating subtle, feel-good series
5'HyeMiLeeYeChaePa' producer Lee Tae-kyung hopeful of second season 'HyeMiLeeYeChaePa' producer Lee Tae-kyung hopeful of second season
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group