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BYD Denied South Korean EV Subsidies
3 Jul
Summary
- BYD Auto excluded from South Korean BEV subsidy program.
- New evaluation system implemented in July requires minimum 60 points.
- BYD plans to focus on plug-in hybrids in South Korea.
South Korea's Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy has implemented a new BEV subsidy program, effective from the beginning of July 2026. Manufacturers must now achieve a minimum score of 60 out of 100 points, based on criteria including technological capabilities, supply chain contributions, and after-sales services.
BYD Auto, a prominent Chinese NEV manufacturer, has been excluded from this subsidy program. While the company began deliveries in March 2025 and saw a sevenfold sales increase to 7,023 units in the first five months of 2026, it did not meet the required minimum threshold.
As a result of this exclusion, BYD plans to shift its strategy in South Korea, concentrating more on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The company recently launched its Sealion 6 DM-i PHEV model in the country, indicating a pivot to mitigate potential BEV sales impacts.
