Seoul: The total distance traveled by registered vehicles in South Korea recorded a slight gain from a year ago in 2024, with electric vehicles (EVs) and other eco-friendly cars recording an increase of over 25 percent on improved performances and a rise in registered vehicles, data showed Monday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KTSA) reported that the combined travel distance of the country's approximately 26.3 million vehicles reached 343.1 billion kilometers last year, marking a 2.3 percent increase from 2023. This distance is equivalent to about 2,300 round trips between Earth and the sun.
The average daily distance traveled per vehicle in 2024 was 36 kilometers, reflecting a 0.8 percent increase from the previous year. Additionally, the average daily fuel price decreased by 1.6 percent year-on-year to 1,575 won (US$1.17) per liter.
The data highlighted an impressive rise in the travel distance of eco-friendly vehicles, which surged 25.5 percent year-on-year to 41.5 billion kilometers in 2024. In comparison, gasoline-powered vehicles covered a total of 126.6 billion kilometers, representing a 2.8 percent increase over the cited period.
A KTSA official noted that the increased travel distance for eco-friendly vehicles was driven by the growing adoption of electric and hybrid cars, advances in battery technology, and high fuel prices.