Korea Energy Agency Launches Public 'Car-5 Day' Campaign to Save Energy

In response to persistent energy supply concerns, the Korea Energy Agency (KEA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate, Environment, and Energy, and related energy organizations, has initiated a nationwide campaign to encourage public participation in energy conservation. The campaign, titled 'Today's Energy Saving Public Action,' will roll out various initiatives, starting with the 'Participate in the Car-5 Day' program.

The 'Car-5 Day' system, which restricts private vehicle use based on the last digit of license plates, is highlighted as a key demand-side management policy for reducing oil consumption. KEA emphasizes that individual voluntary participation is crucial in alleviating the strain on energy supply during times of resource security crises. International examples, such as those cited by the International Energy Agency (IEA), suggest that implementing such vehicle-use restrictions can lead to significant reductions in fuel consumption, estimated between 1-5%, by mitigating traffic congestion and reducing idling.

Considering that South Korea's approximately 20 million private vehicles consume around 360,000 barrels of petroleum daily, the potential savings from the 'Car-5 Day' initiative are substantial, ranging from 3,610 to 18,050 barrels per day, and potentially up to 540,000 barrels per month. KEA also shared anecdotal evidence of commuters successfully reducing fuel costs and optimizing travel time by switching to public transport and carpooling under similar schemes.

KEA President Choi Jae-gwan underscored the importance of small, everyday actions in overcoming the current energy crisis. The agency's goal is to spread an energy-saving culture through the collective, voluntary efforts of the public. This campaign reflects a broader national strategy to enhance energy security and promote sustainable consumption patterns in the face of global energy market volatility.