The Infrastructure Research Division at KRIHS held the 80th Infra 21 Seminar at 10:30 a.m. on Friday July 25. Under the title “Policy Suggestions for Developing a Sustainable Transportation System,” Dr. Yoon Tae-kwan of LG CNS spoke on the electric bike sharing system of Tennessee, USA and electric car sharing in China.
Dr. Yoon’s research on electric car sharing in China was conducted in the city of Tongchuan, China―which is similar to Gangnam, Korea in terms of such indicators as population and the number of registered cars. Based on the findings of a questionnaire survey, the research calculated the expected modal share and economic feasibility of an electric car sharing program in Tongchuan and came up with concrete measures to introduce the system. According to the survey, fees for using the electric cars are the most sensitive issue for the potential users and the program is most attractive to commuters who already own cars. Many respondents who use subways said they would turn to electric cars if the sharing program was introduced. In addition, those who are conscious of the environment were found to be more interested in the program. Dr. Yoon said that the results of this study would be very useful in developing an effective electric car sharing program for Seoul as well as for Tongchuan.
Although electric cars has been manufactured for some time in Korea and this has been promoting electric car sharing, many Koreans still find it difficult to buy or rent electric cars. During the discussion, there was a consensus that Korea should develop a systematic electric car sharing program and various issues related to the introduction of electric car sharing in Korea were addressed.
