▲ All of Jeju's cars are to be electric by 2030 if provincial goals are realized. Photo courtesy Jeju Special Self-Governing Province

The governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Won Hee-ryong, has pledged to increase the number of electric vehicles (EVs) used for both public transportation and private use on the island. Won reasserted the province’s plans for all public transportation vehicles to be electric by 2030 as part of the World Environmental Capital 2020 bid.

The province plans to add 1,500 subsidized EVs to the road through its popular application and public draw method for 2015. This is three times the number of EVs that were added to the roads in the 2013 draw and more than double the 660 subsidized EVs that are currently on the roads.

Officials hope the increased number of EVs offered will accelerate the rate of EV use on Jeju’s roads and as per previous years 23 million won will be available toward each vehicle and five million won for each charger. Priority groups for the cars will include disadvantaged families, the disabled and multicultural families.

Additionally, Won’s EV scheme will also include buses, taxis and even rental cars as conventional vehicles are due to be phased out. The governor believes that Jeju is perfectly placed to lead the nation in EV use due to its special self-governing status which makes it able to proactively promulgate policies to support the EV industry.

Jeju, being self-contained, also has the advantage of serving as an effective testbed for new technologies and smart technology systems. Accordingly, Won said the province will also push ahead with support for other areas of green growth and renewable energies.