![[Seoul=NEWSIS] Reporter Cho Sung-woo = While the overall used car market prices have turned downward, used car prices for electric vehicles led by Tesla and HYBE-led models are showing an upward trend. Tesla is driving prices up due to expectations of introducing its advanced driver assistance system, FSD. The photo shows a test drive vehicle parked at a Tesla dealership in Seoul on the 17th. According to Encar.com, the average used car price for August for 37 models of Gi Jun (CEO) from the 2023 model year with 60,000 km driven and no accidents fell by 1.43% compared to the previous month. In contrast, Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD and Model Y Long Range AWD rose by 3.32% and 3.05%, respectively. 2026.08.17. xconfind@newsis.com /Photo=Cho Sung-woo](https://thumb.mt.co.kr/cdn-cgi/image/f=avif/21/2026/09/2026092216385788465_1.jpg)
Among the 17th provinces and cities nationwide, Gyeongsangbuk-do had the highest electric vehicle penetration rate (the proportion of EV purchases among new car buyers) in the first half of this year. Sejong City showed the largest increase in new EV registrations compared to the same period last year.
According to the Korea Automotive Mobility Industry Association (KAMA) on the 26th, Gyeongsangbuk-do (30.6%) and Chungcheongbuk-do (30.5%) ranked first and second, respectively, in regional EV penetration rates for the first half of this year. This means that out of every 10 newly registered vehicles in these regions, three were electric vehicles rather than internal combustion engine vehicles.
Compared to the first half of last year, both regions saw a significant rise in EV penetration rates. Specifically, Gyeongsangbuk-do jumped from 14.5% to 30.6%, and Chungcheongbuk-do rose from 16.9% to 30.5%. The overall EV penetration rate across all 17 provinces and cities also increased significantly from 11.1% in the first half of last year to 23.3% in the first half of this year.
This is attributed to factors such as high oil prices due to the Middle East war, expanded sales of imported vehicles like Tesla and BYD, and the expansion of new models by domestic manufacturers. However, differences in purchase subsidies, policies for promoting electric trucks and commercial vehicles, and levels of charging infrastructure among local governments have led to regional disparities.
Among the 17th provinces and cities, Sejong City had the highest growth rate in new EV registrations. Specifically, new EV registrations in Sejong City increased by 354.7%, from 353 units in the first half of last year to 1,605 units in the first half of this year. The penetration rate reached 26.3%.
Jeju Island recorded a penetration rate of 27.2%, ranking third. KAMA stated, "In Jeju Island, new EV registrations surged by 156.7% compared to the same period last year, driven by early execution of vehicle demand from B2B fleets such as rental cars and smooth charging infrastructure."
The region with the lowest EV penetration rate in the first half of this year was Jeollanam-do (15.7%). However, Jeollanam-do also saw a significant increase in its penetration rate compared to 9.2% in the first half of last year.
Meanwhile, Gyeonggi-do had the highest number of new EV registrations in the first half of this year with 48,058 units, far ahead of second-place Incheon City with 18,472 units. Seoul City recorded 18,257 units, ranking third after Incheon City.
in INDUSTRY
