SEOUL, July 1 (CNA) -- South Korea will no longer offer subsidies for the purchase of passenger electric vehicles from Chinese manufacturer BYD (BYD) starting July 1, according to South Korean media reports. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced the results of its first "Electric Vehicle Popularization Project Executive Selection Evaluation" on June 30. A total of 35 automakers applied for the evaluation, with 27 passing and continuing to receive purchase subsidies. BYD was the only automaker in the passenger electric vehicle category to fail the evaluation, meaning that purchasing BYD passenger electric vehicles in South Korea will no longer be eligible for subsidies from July 1. The report stated that the purpose of introducing this subsidy evaluation is to provide subsidies to manufacturers and importers who contribute to South Korea's electric vehicle ecosystem. In May, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment significantly lowered the passing criteria from a perfect score of 120 points with over 80 points required to pass, to a perfect score of 100 points with over 60 points required to pass. BYD scored less than 60 points in this round of evaluation and was not selected for subsidies. The report further indicated that the evaluation scores companies on technological development, supply chain contribution, environmental policy response, after-sales operation sustainability, and safety management, with a perfect score of 100. Companies scoring over 60 points are eligible for subsidies. Reuters reported on June 1 that BYD's global vehicle sales in May increased by 0.3% year-on-year to 383,453 units, ending a consecutive eight-month decline in sales. Overseas sales in May increased by 80.4% year-on-year to 160,644 units, continuing strong growth and offsetting the continued weakness in the domestic market. (Editor: Chen Kai-yu / Lu Jia-rong) 1150701 Choose to stand with facts. Every contribution you make is a force to protect the freedom