• South Korea plans to make greenhouse-gas reductions mandatory for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles in stages from 2027, targeting a 30% average cut by 2030.

• Battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell trucks and buses will continue receiving enhanced compliance credits, while hydrogen-combustion vehicles will be recognised under the proposed system for the first time.

 

South Korea has proposed stricter vehicle greenhouse-gas and fuel-efficiency standards intended to accelerate the transition toward electric, hydrogen and more efficient commercial vehicles. Under draft amendments published by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, manufacturers and importers would face mandatory fleet-average targets for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles beginning in 2027. The rules would be phased in by vehicle category and require average emissions to fall by 30% by 2030 compared with a 2021–2022 baseline. The ministry opened a 60-day public consultation on July 15, with comments accepted until September 14.

 

The first stage in 2027 would cover heavy goods vehicles and tractor units with a gross weight above 15 tonnes. Medium and large buses would follow in the second stage, while medium-duty trucks below 15 tonnes and dump trucks would enter the mandatory system in the third stage. Manufacturers that fall short could face financial penalties, although the government plans to introduce them at relatively low levels before gradually strengthening the regime after it becomes fully mandatory in 2031.

 

Heavy commercial vehicles produce considerably more greenhouse-gas emissions per vehicle than passenger cars, but they are also harder to decarbonise. Trucks and buses must carry heavy loads, operate long hours and meet strict range and refuelling requirements.

 

South Korea previously encouraged voluntary reductions while giving manufacturers credits they could use once binding limits arrived. The new framework moves the sector from preparation into mandatory compliance, creating a stronger reason for manufacturers to introduce battery-electric trucks, fuel-cell trucks and more efficient combustion models.

 

The rules could also increase competition among Korean manufacturers and imported brands. Companies with larger zero-emission commercial-vehicle portfolios would be better positioned to meet fleet-average targets without relying heavily on improvements to diesel engines.

 

Phased Commercial-Vehicle Regulation

By 2030, average emissions from covered vehicles must be 30% below the 2021–2022 reference level.

 

Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Credits

The proposed regulation retains “super credits” for battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell commercial vehicles. These credits allow qualifying zero-emission models to count more heavily when manufacturers calculate their fleet-average compliance.

 

Hydrogen internal-combustion vehicles would also receive compliance credits under the revised system. These vehicles burn hydrogen in an engine rather than converting it into electricity through a fuel cell.

 

The distinction matters:

• Battery-electric vehicles use stored electricity to power electric motors.

• Fuel-cell vehicles generate electricity onboard from hydrogen.

• Hydrogen-combustion vehicles burn hydrogen in a modified engine.

 

Hydrogen-combustion trucks can still produce nitrogen-oxide emissions, and their climate performance depends on how the hydrogen is produced. Their inclusion gives manufacturers another technical route to compliance, particularly in heavy-duty applications where rapid refuelling and payload retention are important.

 

Passenger-Car Standards Also Tightened

South Korea is also proposing stronger 2030 fleet-average limits for smaller vehicles.

 

 

 

 

Kim Jin-sik, director general of the ministry’s Air Environment Bureau, said:

“The automobile greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency management system is a central pillar driving greenhouse gas reduction in the transportation sector.”

He said the revisions were intended to support a smooth transition toward transport decarbonisation while helping the Korean automotive industry maintain future competitiveness.

 

What the Rules Mean for Manufacturers

The proposed standards could encourage automakers to:

• Introduce more battery-electric and fuel-cell trucks.

• Expand zero-emission bus offerings.

• Improve diesel-engine and drivetrain efficiency.

• Develop hydrogen-combustion commercial vehicles.

• Use lighter materials and improved aerodynamics.

• Increase renewable-electricity use at domestic factories.

• Manage product sales to remain within fleet-average limits.

 

Manufacturers with only a small selection of zero-emission heavy vehicles could face greater compliance pressure as the targets tighten.

 

Source:   FCW Team