INCHEON — Incheon will begin the final round of subsidies for owners of Grade-5 high-emission older vehicles who scrap them early, the city said. Using budget left over from the first half of the year, the city aims to improve air quality while offering a last chance to benefit.
Starting on the 1st of next month, Incheon will spend about 1.2 billion won ($870,000) in remaining funds, including city money, to accept additional applications under its early scrapping subsidy program for older diesel vehicles and construction equipment, covering some 400 units. Because the program runs on limited resources, applications will close on a first-come, first-served basis once the budget is exhausted.
Eligible vehicles include all Grade-5 vehicles, Grade-4 diesel vehicles, three types of road-use construction equipment subject to emission standards applied before August 31, 2009 — dump trucks, concrete mixer trucks and concrete pump trucks — and forklifts and excavators manufactured before 2004. All eligible vehicles must meet a requirement of at least six months of ownership.
The changes in support conditions also merit attention. For Grade-5 vehicles under 3.5 tons, the secondary purchase subsidy previously provided after scrapping has been abolished. Owners of Grade-4 vehicles under 3.5 tons can receive the secondary purchase subsidy only if they buy a new eco-friendly vehicle — electric, hydrogen or hybrid — after early scrapping.
Applications can be made online through the automobile emissions integrated computer system or by registered mail to the Korea Automobile Environment Association.
"This is the last chance to provide early scrapping subsidies for Grade-5 vehicles, so we hope eligible owners will apply promptly," said Woo Mi-hyang, head of Incheon's air conservation division, adding that support for Grade-4 diesel vehicles and construction equipment will continue next year.
