South Korea urges automakers to reveal sources of batteries used in EVs following series of fires

South Korea urges automakers to reveal sources of batteries used in EVs following series of fires

According to a report by Reuters, the South Korean government will urge automakers operating in the country to identify batteries used in their electric vehicles (EVs). This comes after a series of fires involving EVs that has caused safety concerns among the public.

“Such battery information has not been available to the public so far and the measure is to reduce EV owners’ fire anxiety,” the office of government policy coordination said in a statement.

On August 1, 2024, a Mercedes-Benz EV with batteries from Farasis Energy spontaneously burst into flames in an underground parking lot in the city of Incheon. The blaze took eight hours to extinguish and destroyed or damaged about 140 cars as well as forcing some residents in the apartments above to move to shelters.

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Since the incident, a few car companies in the country have begun listing the manufacturers of batteries used in their EVs. For instance, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis revealed it uses batteries made by South Korea’s LG Energy Solution and SK On, as well as China’s CATL. Foreign makes such as BMW mainly use Samsung SDI and CATL batteries, while Mercedes-Benz source theirs from LG Energy Solution, SK On, CATL as well as China-based Farasis.

Experts say that while getting car companies to reveal the source of batteries is empowering to consumers as it gives them more choices, they question how it would improve safety given the lack of definitive data on which battery brands are more prone to fires.

The Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters said in a report published in February that 1,399 fires occurred in underground parking lots in South Korea between 2013 and 2022, with 43.7% involving vehicles, with electrical sources accounting for 53% of car fires in underground garages.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Made In China on Aug 15, 2024 at 10:15 am

    EV owners is sweating

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1
  • Peppa on Aug 15, 2024 at 11:23 am

    How dare you! – Greta thunderbird

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Jasonx on Aug 15, 2024 at 1:18 pm

    Bomba all around the world hates ev fires

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • ROTI CANAI on Aug 15, 2024 at 2:11 pm

    don buy yahudi ev

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 10
  • Alfonso Romeo bin Kelembai on Aug 15, 2024 at 3:20 pm

    This is why I love my vintage Honda Samah more and more. It’s battery never give me problems.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Frankc on Aug 15, 2024 at 7:24 pm

    EV fire statistics must collect now. EV use will grow. EV maker needs feedback to improve. Anthony must start gathering info. Categorize EV fire into 3 types.. spontaneous fire, fire after accident, fire during charging. Spontaneous fire is most severe where transport ministry should seek to investigate with car maker to ascertain cause or if needed suspend delivery of such vehicle to user.
    It is very serious matter if the car is proven a fire hazard

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Out goes Sam Loo & in comes Benjamin Lee
    Where is he when ya need him?

    Time to shine a BJ light like Batman Lmao

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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