<article><p class="lead">South Korea's domestic sales and exports of electric vehicles (EVs) increased in February compared with a year earlier.</p><p>South Korea's electric and hybrid vehicle sales rose to 18,342 units in February, up by 104.5pc on the previous year and by 2pc from January, according to data from South Korea's trade, industry and energy ministry (Motie). Domestic sales of eco-friendly vehicles accounted for 14.9pc of the country's total automotive sales of 123,317 vehicles last month. </p><p>Domestic sales of hybrid EVs increased by 215.4pc from a year earlier to 14,047 units last month, plug-in hybrid EVs spiked by 579.6pc to 1,597 units and fuel cell EVs rose by 28.2pc to 568 units.</p><p>Exports of electric and hybrid vehicle were 24,932 units last month, up by 70.9pc on a year earlier, the highest for a February month. Eco-friendly vehicle exports accounted for 15pc of the country's total automotive exports of 161,886 units in February. </p><p>The South Korean government aims to become more self-sufficient and competitive in the eco-friendly car market and to reduce its dependence on China, where most of the components are made. Motie plans to invest 73.4 trillion South Korean won ($65bn) in energy initiatives as part of this programme. </p></article>
