To protect the air environment, the government provides many benefits to drivers of low-emission vehicles. However, there are many people who are missing out on the benefits without even knowing whether their car is a low-emission car or not.
Today, I will tell you everything, from how to check if your car is a low-emission vehicle, to the five benefits of low-emission vehicles, and how to get a sticker. Oh, if I don’t put the sticker on, I won’t be able to get the discount at all? Let me tell you this too.
Benefits of 3 types of low-emission vehicles
A low-emission vehicle refers to a vehicle that emits low air pollutants. Low-emission vehicles are classified into three types, Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3, depending on the level of air pollutant emissions.
Type 1: Cars that emit almost no pollutants, such as electric cars, hydrogen cars, solar cars, etc. (called zero-emission vehicles)
Type 2: Vehicles with emissions below the standard, such as hybrid vehicles (vehicles that use both electricity and internal combustion engines)
Type 3: Vehicles that emit pollutants below a certain standard among gasoline, diesel, LPG, and CNG vehicles
Then, I will tell you about types 1, 2, and 3 benefits. There are so many benefits.
1. 50% discount on public parking and airport parking
50% discount on public parking lots operated by local governments. 100% discount on type 1 electric and hydrogen cars. Additionally, the same applies to airport parking lots. It’s great if you park your car when you go on a trip.
2. Congestion toll discount
There are tunnels in the city center that charge congestion tolls, such as Namsan Tunnels 1 and 3 in Seoul. Types 1 and 2 low-emission vehicles are fully exempted, and type 3 low-emission vehicles receive a 50% discount.
3. Automobile tax and employment registration tax reduction
For low-emission vehicles, automobile tax and registration tax that must be paid when purchasing a car are reduced. However, since the degree of reduction varies depending on the local government, you should check the information for the region where you live.
4. Support for vehicle purchase costs
When purchasing low-emission vehicles, subsidies from the Ministry of Environment are provided. The subsidy amount varies depending on the vehicle type, degree of emission reduction, and local government, so please check this as well. The average support is up to 8.4 million won for electric vehicles, 4.7 million won for hybrids, and 9.7 million won for hydrogen vehicles.
5. Parking space exclusively for public institutions
This does not apply to Type 3 low-emission vehicles, but applies to Types 1 and 2. When you go to a public institution such as a local office, electric, hydrogen, and hybrid vehicles can be parked in dedicated spaces marked on the floor as light vehicles and hybrids. It’s good because it’s not affected by the two-car system.
Low-emission vehicle search
Now, a low-emission vehicle with such benefits. Most drivers know whether their car is a low-emission vehicle or not. However, some people who purchased a car in the past when the government did not support low-emission vehicles do not know that their car is a low-emission vehicle. Please take a look.
How to check for low-emission vehicles
You can check for low-emission vehicles through the official website called ‘Zero-emission vehicle integrated website.’ I will attach a link below. When you enter, there is a ‘Check my car’s pollution-free’ menu on the right side of the main screen. You can check without logging in or registering as a member.
Go to the comprehensive zero-emission vehicle website
Low-emission vehicle registration
I checked and found that my car is a low-emission vehicle? Then it’s time to leave home to register your low-emission vehicle. You must obtain a sticker certifying that your car is a low-emission vehicle and attach it to the windshield.
If I don’t have a sticker, do I not get any benefits at all? I’ll talk about this separately later.
Issuance of low-emission vehicle stickers
First, to issue a sticker, you can go to the local government office such as city hall, district office, or a nearby vehicle registration office. Usually, you go to the district office to do this. Vehicle registration offices can be checked on the automobile civil service portal site. Clicking on the letter will take you to the link.
Required items for issuing stickers include car registration and identification. If the vehicle owner cannot go in person and an agent comes, you must bring a copy of the vehicle owner’s ID card, a stamped power of attorney or seal certificate, and the agent’s ID card.
The sticker issuance fee is free. If you go and apply by filling out an application form, the sticker will be issued on the spot after screening your documents. By the way, there are three low-emission vehicle grades: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. All stickers are different.
Can’t it be recognized without a low-emission vehicle sticker?
You can receive benefits even without a sticker. However, if automatic recognition does not require a sticker, you can receive benefits by replacing it with a sticker check. In short, putting stickers on is convenient!
In places with a well-equipped system, recognition is done automatically and discounts are provided, but some older parking lots may not be recognized. In that case, you can prove it with a sticker.
The airport parking lot is well connected to the low-emission vehicle system, so you can receive automatic discounts even without a sticker. If you haven’t received a sticker yet, you can just leave. Still, check it out and do it.
Reissue of low-emission vehicle stickers
If you lose your sticker, you can get it reissued. When reissuing, you must prepare a low-emission vehicle certificate in addition to your vehicle registration and ID card. It is issued by the car manufacturer or car dealer. Re-issuance of stickers is also free.
Low-emission vehicle sticker location
If you have been issued a low-emission car sticker, you can attach it to the lower left or lower right inside the windshield of your vehicle.
Abolition of low-emission vehicle benefits
There is a lot of talk about the abolition of benefits for low-emission vehicles. This is half true and half wrong. First of all, it is true that the benefits of public parking and congestion toll discounts still continue, but the benefits of vehicle purchase subsidies and tax breaks are decreasing.
When electric and hybrid cars first came out, subsidies were large. But as the years go by, the amount of support is gradually decreasing. In addition, the government is said to be considering excluding hybrid vehicles from the list of low-emission vehicles starting in 2025 or 2026. In short, when purchasing a car, you have to buy it 100% with your own money.