Gwangmyeong: Kia Corp. on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Gwangmyeong city government to cooperate on an electric vehicle (EV)-based car sharing service. The partnership follows the selection of a Gwangmyeong city consortium, which includes Kia, for the transport ministry's smart city project in July of last year. The initiative aims to build carbon-neutral smart city infrastructure around Gwangmyeong Station to improve mobility efficiency and reduce emissions.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the local government, located about 20 kilometers south of Seoul, plans to develop smart city solutions for various fields. Kia will lead the mobility component by introducing an EV-based community car sharing service through its eco-friendly mobility platform, Kia Biz. The two parties will cooperate in selecting service locations, building infrastructure, operating and maintaining the service, and linking and sharing data with the city.
The project will track the carbon reduction effect of the EVs and share the results with the public. "This project marks an important first step in building Gwangmyeong's smart city," a Kia official said. "We will work to help ease urban congestion and reduce carbon emissions through stable operations around the Gwangmyeong Station area."