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Samsung, other groups to join gov't energy-saving push with car rotation systems

Published: 25 Mar. 2026, 19:16

The logo of Samsung Electronics is seen at the company's building in southern Seoul on July 5, 2024. [AP/YONHAP]

Samsung Group said Wednesday it will join government-led energy-saving efforts, voluntarily introducing a 10-day vehicle rotation system, as the country braces for a potential energy shortage amid prolonged tensions in the Middle East.

The system will be implemented across all of its domestic operations starting Thursday, Samsung Group said in a statement.

The plan restricts a vehicle from operating one day out of every 10, based on the last digit of the license plate number.

Electric and hydrogen vehicles, as well as cars used by people with disabilities, pregnant women and those with children, are exempt.

Parking lots will be closed on holidays, apparently to discourage employees from operating their vehicles on such days, while 50 percent of outdoor lighting and interior illumination in nonbusiness areas will be turned off.

The company said it will encourage employees to participate in the campaign at workplaces, which will include turning off computers after work.

“We will join the government's efforts to overcome difficulties stemming from rising oil prices," Samsung said. "We expect the measures to help expand such efforts across the industry."

SK Group, another major conglomerate, also said it will implement a five-day vehicle rotation system across all business divisions starting next Monday.

Employees will be required to turn off lights during lunchtime and after work, while recommended temperature settings will be set at above 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit) for cooling and below 18 degrees for heating.

Earlier this week, HD Hyundai Group announced similar energy-saving measures, including a 10-day vehicle rationing system.

Starting Wednesday, the Korean government enforced a mandatory five-day vehicle rotation system for the public sector, along with other energy-saving measures, to respond to possible oil supply disruptions.

An attendee passes by a display of LG evo W6 Wallpaper televisions at the LG Electronics booth during CES 2026 in Las Vegas on Jan. 7. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

LG is also strengthening energy-saving measures across its existing workplaces.

All LG affiliates will implement a 10-day vehicle rotation system at all workplaces in Korea starting Friday and encourage employees to participate.

At major offices, including the LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, western Seoul, the company has already installed systems that automatically turn off office lights during lunch hours and after work. It also operates commuter shuttle buses to reduce the use of private cars.

GS Group will also voluntarily adopt a five-day vehicle rotation system. The policy applies to vehicles excluding environmentally friendly cars, and employees are encouraged to use public transportation instead of driving.

The 10-day system restricts driving on dates that match the last digit of a vehicle’s license plate, resulting in about three to four restricted days per month, while the five-day system bans vehicles one day each week based on the last digit, resulting in about four to five restricted days per month, making it a stricter measure overall.

BY PARK YOUNG-WOO, YONHAP [[email protected]]