The government has decided to reform regulations on eco-friendly vehicles, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell cars. The decision came at the second task force meeting for regulatory reform chaired by Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho on Monday.
Under the easing of regulations, the government will allow private owners of electric chargers to provide shared services. That will let various players participate in the electric vehicle charging service network, replenishing EV chargers to meet increasing demand. It's the right move ― some EV models are so popular that the waiting period for shipment exceeds a year. However, experts have pointed out that the supply of chargers has failed to keep up.
Regarding hydrogen cars, the regulators plan to permit drivers to self-charge, as they do at gas stations now. The fact that drivers overseas can visit hydrogen stations and charge their vehicles has been drawing the attention of domestic motorists recently. However, this is only possible in distant countries, because the government had mandated the stationing of skilled workers for safety reasons. If regulators here allow self-charging, hydrogen stations will reduce labor costs and raise economic efficiency. Operators will then likely provide fee discounts and the convenience of late-night charging.
Hydrogen cars' popularization is slower than electric vehicles but they too are drawing attention as a major category of eco-friendly vehicles. Lately, some consumers who are dissatisfied with the long waiting period for electric cars are reportedly shifting their contracts to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. If the regulators could dissolve various restrictions on infrastructure, it will speed up the reinvigoration of the domestic hydrogen car market and help domestic carmakers create a new market.
The government needs to make every effort to ensure that the effect of regulatory innovation appears early in the industrial field. It must speed up the implementation of regulatory reforms and push ahead with policies so that the changes can be felt. Policymakers ought not to leave some hidden, thorny regulations that will weaken the effects brought about by regulatory reform.