Hyundai Motor Group joins energy-saving drive amid Middle East crisis

A Genesis sedan enters the headquarters of Hyundai Motor Group in Seoul, Sunday. An electronic display board in front of the building informs employees about the carmaker’s five-day vehicle rotation system. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor Group will expand its energy-saving measures across all of its affiliates as part of a nationwide effort to tackle an escalating energy crisis, the carmaker said Sunday.

Under the drive, the group is expanding its five-day vehicle rotation system — previously applied to the headquarters of Hyundai Motor and Kia — to all of the group’s subsidiaries. Employees from the firms are restricted from using their vehicles on designated weekdays based on license plate numbers.

The latest decision came in swift response to the latest request from President Lee Jae Myung and his administration. Last week, Lee urged private firms to participate in energy conservation efforts amid escalating supply shortage concerns triggered by geopolitical conflict in the Middle East.

Hyundai Motor Group said it plans to cut its electricity use at major workplaces by precisely controlling electricity use from computers, heating and cooling systems and lighting during weekdays, holidays, lunch hours and nighttime operations.

The group will also integrate artificial intelligence into closed-circuit television cameras installed in corridors, parking lots and lobbies, so lights can automatically turn off when no movement is detected for a certain period.

Domestic business trips will also be replaced with video conferences whenever possible while eco-friendly vehicles will be prioritized for unavoidable travel, according to the carmaker.

At production sites, the group will reduce idle equipment operation and expand inspections for electricity leaks and oil loss to minimize energy waste.

Hyundai Glovis, a logistics arm of the group, will cut its fuel consumption by optimizing shipping routes and adopting slow steaming and limiting engine use during standby.

“Hyundai Motor Group has established practical measures to reduce energy consumption in response to the national energy crisis,” a company official said. “We will actively participate in the government’s energy-saving policy by teaming up with our employees and executives.”

Other major conglomerates are also joining the energy-saving initiative in line with the government.

Samsung Group’s corporate flag flies in front of its office building in Seoul in this undated file photo. Yonhap

Starting from Thursday, Samsung Group has implemented a 10-day vehicle rotation system across its local workplaces nationwide. This restricts employees from using their cars once every 10 days based on license plate numbers.

The group also plans to turn off 50 percent of lighting in non-work areas, such as outdoor landscaping, corridors and rooftops, and close unused parking spaces during holidays.

SK Group, for its part, will introduce a five-day vehicle rotation system at all of its domestic worksites from Monday. It will also mandate full lighting shutdowns during lunch hours and after work and enforce indoor temperature guidelines. The group will also limit elevator operations for lower floors.

LG Group and its key affiliates are also implementing automatic lighting shutdown systems for their offices, in efforts to curb unnecessary power use. Shuttle buses are being operated along key commuting routes to reduce reliance on private cars.

LG Twin Towers, headquarters of LG Group's key affiliates, in Seoul / Courtesy of LG Group

LG Electronics is enhancing its real-time energy monitoring systems for its major worksites. At its factory in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, the company is expanding renewable energy use through rooftop solar power facilities.

Lotte Group encourages flexible work schedules to ease peak-hour traffic demand. It also increases the use of video conferencing and the adoption of high-efficiency equipment at its major workplaces.

Meanwhile, Hanwha Group is adopting power-saving practices, such as activating PC sleep modes, shutting down office equipment after work, adjusting air conditioning in unused spaces and tightening indoor temperature standards.