Carpool Revolution: How the Middle East Crisis is Driving Energy Savings in 2026

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[Inews24 Reporter Lee Yong-min] As public institutions implement a five-day vehicle rotation amid the prolonged Middle East crisis, carpooling is gaining traction.

On March 26, Choi Bong-jun, head of the Buljeong NongHyup in Goesan, Chungbuk (North Chungcheong Province), said, “I carpool with colleagues who live in Cheongju, and I feel proud to be participating in a nationwide energy‑saving effort,” adding, “Even if the Middle East crisis is resolved and oil prices stabilize, I plan to continue carpooling.”

NongHyup operates branches across the region and commonly rotates staff assignments.

In Chungbuk, many employees commute from Cheongju to county offices and from county towns to townships, so interest in carpooling has naturally increased.

Kang Young-hee, a team leader at NH NongHyup Bank’s Boeun branch who lives in Sajik-dong, Cheongju, said, “It was inconvenient at first, but carpooling has cut fuel costs and given me time to talk with colleagues during the commute.”

Meanwhile, after authorities issued an oil‑security alert amid the prolonged Middle East crisis, Chungbuk NongHyup launched an energy‑saving campaign that includes the five-day vehicle rotation and measures to maintain appropriate office temperatures.