According to the Chosun Ilbo newspaper, the transport ministry aims to amend existing laws to compel EV manufacturers to reveal the specific manufacturers of the batteries used in their EVs.
Key Highlights:
The South Korean government is planning to introduce new regulations that will require electric vehicle EV manufacturers to disclose detailed information about the battery brands used in their cars. This decision stems from safety concerns following a recent incident where a parked electric vehicle caught fire, resulting in significant damage to the surrounding area.
According to the Chosun Ilbo newspaper, the transport ministry aims to amend existing laws to compel car companies to reveal the specific manufacturers of the batteries used in their EVs. While current regulations mandate the disclosure of certain vehicle details, such as size and fuel efficiency, information regarding batteries is limited to power capacity, with no requirement to specify the manufacturer.
At present, the transport ministry has withheld official comments on the matter and has refrained from providing an immediate response to the newspaper’s report.
Last week, an electric Mercedes-Benz sedan by Farasis Energy ignited in the underground parking of an apartment in Incheon, South Korea. According to Yonhap news agency, it took over eight hours to suppress the blaze, which damaged approximately 140 vehicles and hospitalized 23 individuals due to smoke inhalation.
In response, Mercedes-Benz Korea released a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the incident and expressing their intention to collaborate with authorities in investigating the root cause.
Farasis has not yet responded to a request for comment. According to a report by the Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters published in February, there were 1,399 incidents of fires in underground parking lots in South Korea between 2013 and 2022, with 43.7% of these incidents attributed to vehicles. As per the report, 53% of car fires in underground garages were caused by electrical sources.
Esther Yim, an analyst at Samsung Securities, stated that a series of electric vehicle fires in underground parking lots have led to increased consumer distrust of EVs, potentially prolonging the current EV downturn. Yim suggested that car and battery manufacturers must develop measures to reassure consumers. In response to the decreased demand for EVs globally, Hyundai Motor announced plans to expand its hybrid line-ups last month.
Meanwhile, LG Energy Solution, a battery maker whose clients include Tesla, General Motors, and Hyundai Motor, has reduced its annual sales target due to the slowdown in global EV demand.
The South Korean government’s decision to require EV manufacturers to disclose detailed information about the battery brands used in their cars is a step towards addressing safety concerns and increasing transparency in the EV industry. The recent incident involving an electric vehicle fire has highlighted the importance of understanding and mitigating potential risks associated with EV batteries. It’s clear that both battery and EV manufacturers will need to work together to reassure consumers and uphold safety standards in order to regain trust and confidence in the EV market.ELCTRIK Speaks
