Seoul, August 25, 2024 (FFN News) – The South Korean government has announced plans to expedite its electric vehicle (EV) battery certification program, following a series of EV-related fires that have raised public safety concerns. The government will launch the certification program in October, ahead of schedule, to ensure the safety of EV batteries, according to a spokesperson from the ruling People Power Party (PPP).
This move comes after a significant fire on August 1st involving a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle, which caused extensive damage to hundreds of cars and led to widespread public anxiety. The fire, which broke out in a residential building and took eight hours to extinguish, resulted in the destruction or damage of approximately 140 vehicles and forced some residents to relocate to emergency shelters.
In response, the South Korean government will require automakers operating in the country to identify the batteries used in their vehicles. Some automakers have already begun voluntarily disclosing information about their battery suppliers. Industry sources indicated that South Korean battery producers are willing to provide information on where their batteries are used, although they caution against assuming that battery faults are the sole cause of EV fires. Experts also noted that while forcing automakers to disclose battery details could offer consumers more choices, it may not necessarily improve safety due to a lack of definitive data on which battery brands are more prone to fires.
Keywords: South Korea, EV batteries, certification program, safety concerns, electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz fire
