A liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) charging station in Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Mar. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s government lifted restrictions on the sale of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) powered vehicles to consumers Tuesday as it pushes to improve air quality in the country.
The move allows everyone to buy cars that emit less fine dust and other pollutants into the environment, which has become a source of concern for Asia’s fourth-largest economy, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said.
Before the change, LPG cars could only be used as taxis, rent-a-cars and for people with disabilities. Those that tried to acquire and operate LPG cars unlawfully were slapped with up to 3 million won (US$2,600) in fines.
The ministry said that under the revised law, consumers can convert their existing gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles to accept LPG.
Prices of butane, a raw material used in LPG, cost 797.4 won per liter as of late last week, 42 percent cheaper than gasoline prices, according to Opinet, an oil prices information provider operated by the state-run Korea National Oil Corp.
(Yonhap)
