South Korea has adjusted regulations for eco-friendly vehicles to reflect technological advancements and reduced emissions targets.

Early this week, the government put up a revision notice based on the Automobile Management Act for affected eco-friendly cars.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, the regulatory guidance on the discontinued low-speed electric vehicles (EVs) was removed while adding articles on microsized electric vehicles.

Micro electric cars are required to run at a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour and have a minimum range of 55 kilometers on a single charge.

Clauses on the maximum speed, travel range for a single charge, and per-charge requirements for high-speed electric vehicles were updated to reflecting the current technological advancement and be in line with the diversified market portfolio.

Every electric vehicle should be able to travel at least 57 kilometers on a single charge, regardless of the model. Sedans have to meet the 150-kilometer standard, while trucks and vans should run at least between 70 and 100 kilometers.

The speed limit was also increased from 60 kilometers per hour to 100 kilometers per hour for sedans and vans and 80 kilometers per hour for trucks.

Meanwhile, stricter energy efficiency standards were to apply to small cars.

The government also simplified the eco-friendly vehicle registration process.

A ministry official noted that there were cases when low energy efficiency level cars were acknowledged as eco-friendly, but the updated rules will limit such recognition to truly eco-friendly cars.