Third round of private EV distribution project launched

Up to 8.93 million won for passenger cars, 18.85 million won for freight vehicles

Hydrogen EV charging station information campaign runs alongside

Ulsan provides an additional 30 percent on top of the municipal subsidy for passenger cars produced in the Ulsan region, along with a 300,000 won manufacturer discount. Pictured is the Ioniq 5 production line at Hyundai Motor's Ulsan factory. [Hyundai Motor]
Ulsan provides an additional 30 percent on top of the municipal subsidy for passenger cars produced in the Ulsan region, along with a 300,000 won manufacturer discount. Pictured is the Ioniq 5 production line at Hyundai Motor's Ulsan factory. [Hyundai Motor]

Ulsan has secured an additional budget of 4.3 billion won ($3.14 million) to launch a third round of its "2026 Private Electric Vehicle Distribution Project," following the first and second rounds carried out in January and June this year. The third round covers 500 vehicles — 400 passenger cars and 100 freight vehicles.

Through the first half of this year's private EV distribution project, the city distributed 4,084 electric vehicles. With 30.8 billion won in purchase subsidies secured, the maximum support amounts by vehicle type were: 8.93 million won for passenger cars, 18.85 million won for freight vehicles, 19.12 million won for small vans, and 108.06 million won for vans used as children's school buses, with exact amounts varying by fuel efficiency, driving range and other performance criteria.

For passenger cars, the city offered additional support for taxis, households with multiple children and young first-time buyers; a conversion subsidy of 1.3 million won for those replacing an internal combustion engine vehicle with an electric vehicle; and, for passenger cars produced in the Ulsan region, an extra 30 percent on top of the municipal subsidy along with a 300,000 won manufacturer discount. Applications open Friday for passenger cars and Tuesday for freight vehicles.

Alongside the EV rollout, the city is running a campaign called "Enjoy Your Hydrogen Electric Vehicle" to help create a stable operating environment for hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, combining real-time charging information with on-site outreach. To allow hydrogen car drivers to check a station's operating status, charging availability and wait times before visiting in person, the city is stepping up promotion of charging information apps — including Hying, a hydrogen retail information platform, and H2 Care, a public-private linked service.

Drivers can search for "Hying" or "H2 Care" on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to find the location and real-time operating status of hydrogen charging stations across Ulsan and nationwide, as well as stations along their planned route, making it easier to manage wait times.

The city will also display real-time charging station information through the public notice sections of bus information terminals at bus stops, a large electronic billboard on Asan-ro — a high-traffic road — and the display board at KTX Ulsan Station, a major gateway to the city.

"We will work to build an environment where citizens can use hydrogen charging stations more conveniently and reliably, while expanding EV distribution, to create an eco-friendly Ulsan that responds to the climate crisis, achieves carbon neutrality and reduces fine dust," a city official said.


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