Within Reach
Renault Samsung Motors is seeking to dominate the Chinese and U.K. electric taxi markets with the SM3 ZE electric car, and the Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors are going to expand their electric car model lineup like the K5.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it discussed ways to distribute more electric vehicles at the 7th council meeting for new energy industries at the Korea Technology Center in Seoul on July 22.
At the event, Renault Samsung Motors said that people will be able to drive electric cars more than 300km on one charge within the next three years. The automaker also revealed its goal of dominating the electric taxi markets in China and the U.K., which are rapidly growing in particular, using its SM3 ZE electric cars. Hyundai and Kia Motors also announced that they will expand the number of electric car models by releasing mid-sized plug-in hybrid electric cars like the K5 this year, in addition to the 2014 Kia Soul EV.
Professor Lee Jong-soo from Seoul National University noted that to promote electric vehicles, the nation should prepare to change the energy system in accordance with an increase in demand for electric cars. He also stressed that it would be necessary to revamp the structure of the current system led by internal combustion engines. On top of that, Professor Lee remarked that it is important to develop electric vehicles based on consumer preferences, rather than developing compact cars, in order to dominate markets at home and abroad.