South Korea amends regulations to require EVs to display energy efficiency grade

On September 1, 2023, the South Korean government issued a notice that enforced a revision of the Regulations on Energy Efficiency and Grade Labeling of Motor Vehicles on the same day (hereinafter “the Notice”). As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular and the number of EV models increases in the country, the need to convey accurate information about EVs’ efficiencies to consumers grows. In such a context, the Notice says that the revised regulation expands the scope of automobiles subject to the mandatory energy efficiency and grade display scheme, reflecting the recent market circumstances. The new regulation also requires EVs to display efficiency grades (Grades 1 to 5) according to their “combined” energy efficiency.