South Korea's Hybrid Vehicle Registrations Exceed 2 Million
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Synopsis
Seoul reports that hybrid vehicle registrations in South Korea have surpassed 2 million units for the first time, highlighting significant growth in eco-friendly automotive choices.
Key Takeaways
- Hybrid vehicle registrations in South Korea topped 2 million.
- A record 482,349 hybrids were registered in 2024.
- The eco-friendly vehicle count hit 2,746,000 units.
- Samsung SDI is collaborating with Hyundai and Kia on robot batteries.
- Hybrid vehicles are expected to remain in demand for years.
Seoul, Feb 25 (NationPress) The total number of registered hybrid vehicles in South Korea has exceeded 2 million for the first time last year, as reported by government data released on Tuesday.
The cumulative count of hybrid vehicles reached 2,024,481 by the end of 2024, marking a significant achievement according to the transport ministry's data.
Last year alone saw a record registration of 482,349 hybrid units, which played a major role in reaching this milestone, as noted by Yonhap news agency.
Hybrid vehicles made their debut in South Korea in 2008, and since then, their cumulative registrations have steadily increased, surpassing 500,000 in 2019, 1 million in 2022, and 1.5 million in 2023.
This surge in hybrid vehicles has also led to an uptick in the share of eco-friendly vehicles, which also encompasses electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
As of the end of 2024, the total number of eco-friendly vehicles reached 2,746,000 units, representing 10.4 percent of all registered vehicles in the nation.
A market analyst commented, "With the EV sector undergoing a transitional phase and shifts in U.S. automotive policies, hybrid vehicles are anticipated to see sustained demand over the next two to three years."
In another development, Samsung SDI, the second-largest battery manufacturer in South Korea, announced on Tuesday that it has entered into an initial agreement with Hyundai Motor Co. and its subsidiary Kia Corp. to collaboratively develop batteries specifically designed for robots.
Samsung SDI has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the two automotive giants to create high-performance batteries tailored for robots, aiming to significantly enhance energy density, output, and operational duration, as stated in a company press release.
"Through this partnership, we aim to introduce cutting-edge technologies and high-quality products within the robot battery sector," said Cho Han-jae, Executive Vice President of Samsung SDI.
Currently, the majority of sectors in the robotics field lack specialized batteries, relying instead on those intended for power tools or lightweight electric vehicles, according to Samsung SDI.
To address this issue, the companies are set to develop high-performance batteries optimized for the limited space found in robots.
