Daegu expands eco-friendly vehicle subsidies amid hydrogen infrastructure shortages

Daegu is facing challenges in its transition to eco-friendly public transportation due to insufficient hydrogen charging infrastructure. While the city aims to deploy 30 hydrogen buses this year, only 10 have been distributed as of September. The transport industry reports that limited charging stations and frequent maintenance issues force operators to rely on older compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, which account for nearly 90% of the city's bus fleet.

To address the growing demand for green mobility, Daegu has secured 17.7 billion won through a supplementary budget to provide additional subsidies for 1,691 eco-friendly vehicles. This expansion includes support for 1,100 electric passenger cars, 500 electric freight vehicles, 80 electric vans, and 11 hydrogen passenger cars. The city plans to continue expanding its hydrogen charging network, with a goal of establishing eight stations by 2030.