As the diesel model is discontinued in the 1-ton (t) truck market, referred to as the "foot of small businesses," sales of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) models are increasing. With the enactment of a bill allowing self-refueling of LPG, there are projections that sales of LPG trucks and consumption of LPG for transportation will rise.
According to the Korea Automobile Mobility Industry Association (KAMA) on the 16th, sales of LPG models in the 1t truck market last year totaled 64,574, surpassing not only diesel models (264) but also electric vehicle models (28,617). Currently, the LPG models of 1t trucks being sold in the market are the Hyundai "Porter2 LPG" and the Kia "Bongo3 LPG."
Hyundai and Kia launched LPG models in December 2023. Since then, sales have steadily increased. At the time of launch in December 2023, 2,798 units of the Porter3 and 1,816 units of the Bongo3 were sold. Last year, the Porter3 sold 58,558 units and the Bongo3 sold 6,016 units, and the sales figures have continued to rise this year. From January to March this year, a total of 11,435 units of the Porter3 and 3,242 units of the Bongo3 were sold.
On the 1st, a partial revision bill of the "Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Management and Business Act" that allows self-refueling of LPG passed the National Assembly. Until now, unlike regular gas stations, drivers could not self-refuel at LPG charging stations. The revision allows drivers of LPG vehicles to refuel themselves if the LPG charging station meets specific criteria set by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. The bill is scheduled to take effect in November.
According to the office of Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Hwang Myung-sun, some charging stations have struggled to secure personnel at night or on weekends. It is also expected that self-refueling will lower prices. Self-refueling has been demanded by the taxi and freight industries.
The industry anticipates that once LPG self-refueling begins, sales of 1t truck LPG models will further increase. The 1t truck is mainly used by self-employed individuals or delivery service providers, and refueling will become possible without time constraints.
An energy industry official noted, "Although sales of LPG vehicles have not dramatically increased due to economic downturns affecting consumer sentiment, it is expected that sales of LPG trucks will rise once refueling becomes easier."