Dong Geun-tae, CEO of Star Truck Korea, is a seasoned expert with over 30 years in the automotive industry. He has witnessed changes across various sectors, from passenger cars to commercial vehicles, including sales, marketing, and customer service. Recently, he diagnosed that the transition to eco-friendly commercial vehicles in South Korea is hindered more by policy and infrastructure than by technology.
Dong has been leading Star Truck Korea, which was established in September 2022 as a joint venture between FMK, a subsidiary of Hyosung Group, and Germany's Daimler Trucks. The company imports and sells Mercedes-Benz trucks in South Korea and is preparing to introduce next-generation eco-friendly commercial vehicles, including electric and hydrogen models.
Currently, the most notable model in the market is the long-range electric truck 'eActros 600.' This is Mercedes-Benz's first long-range electric truck and serves as a flagship vehicle symbolizing its electrification strategy. Production is set to begin at a German factory by the end of 2024, and it is already available for sale in Europe. Star Truck Korea is also in the process of finalizing approval for domestic sales, although a specific launch date has not yet been determined.
Another eco-friendly option is the next-generation hydrogen fuel cell truck 'NextGen H2 Truck,' which was unveiled this year. This model uses liquefied hydrogen as fuel and can travel over 1,000 kilometers on a single charge, with discussions about its potential introduction in South Korea.
However, Dong emphasizes that for the domestic spread of eco-friendly commercial vehicles, policy support must precede vehicle introduction. The initial purchase cost of large electric trucks is significantly higher than that of internal combustion engine vehicles, and the high-output charging infrastructure necessary for operation is still insufficient. He believes that subsidy programs need to be designed more flexibly, considering the operational characteristics and pricing structures of commercial vehicles, which differ from passenger cars.
Currently, the selling price of large electric trucks is about two to 2.5 times higher than that of internal combustion engine trucks. However, the subsidies provided for large electric trucks are only around 60 million won, which is inadequate to bridge the initial purchase cost gap. He argues that the purchase price, including subsidies, must be comparable to that of internal combustion engine vehicles for customers to choose electric trucks, taking into account fuel and maintenance cost savings.
Dong stated, "The transition to eco-friendly vehicles is ultimately about creating an environment where customers can make choices. For the eco-friendly commercial vehicle market to expand significantly, institutional conditions such as subsidies and charging infrastructure must be established together."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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