Seoul unveils hybrid guidelines

The South Korean government has revealed guidelines for drivers to qualify for planned government vehicle tax breaks. In order to benefit from the tax breaks, drivers of cars with traditional combustion engines have to increase fuel efficiency to 150% of their vehicles’ average fuel efficiency. Hybrid cars, meanwhile, will have efficiency requirements based on engine displacement. Hybrid cars with a capacity of less than 1,000cc will be required to run a minimum of 25.5 kilometers (km) per liter of fuel, 1,000 to 1,600cc capacity hybrid cars must run 20.6 km per liter, 1,600 to 2,000 cc capacity cars must get at least 16.8 km per liter, while those above 2,000cc must achieve 14 km per liter. The tax breaks’ effectivity will be from July 1, 2009 until the end of 2012. (June 11, 2009)