Expected effects include reduced safety accidents for mail carriers and fine dust reduction.

Ultra-compact electric vehicles are expected to be used as two-wheeled vehicles for mail delivery.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Environment signed a memorandum of understanding to supply eco-friendly delivery equipment to address the social issues of postal worker safety accidents and fine dust reduction. Accordingly, 10,000 motorcycles used for mail delivery will be converted to ultra-compact electric vehicles over the next three years (2018–2020).

We plan to improve the working environment for mail carriers by converting 1,050 motorcycles used for mail delivery within this year, and to reduce fine dust by converting gasoline motorcycles used in areas where it is difficult for four-wheeled vehicles to operate, such as narrow alleys and markets, to electric motorcycles.

In addition, to promote the expansion of ultra-compact electric vehicles in the nascent market, electric vehicles produced by domestic small and medium-sized enterprises will be introduced to the Post Office starting this year. Furthermore, by supporting the development of autonomous driving technology to facilitate mail delivery, we expect this to serve as a catalyst for the growth of the related market.

At the signing ceremony, Minister Yoo Young-min stated, “This agreement, pursued for a people-centered I-KOREA 4.0, will serve as a groundbreaking opportunity for the safety of postal workers and the reduction of fine dust,” adding, “Both the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Environment will actively cooperate to expand electric vehicles for postal delivery and support eco-friendly industries suitable for the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”