South Korea to push for greater transparency on batteries in electric vehicles

South Korea is set to urge automakers operating in the country to identify the batteries used in their electric vehicles (EVs) following recent safety concerns.

The government is advising car manufacturers to voluntarily disclose this information to address growing public fears after a fire involving an EV in Incheon caused significant damage earlier this month.

As reported by Reuters, the fire, which occurred in an underground parking lot in Incheon on August 1, originated from a Mercedes-Benz EV equipped with Farasis Energy batteries.

The incident led to the destruction or damage of around 140 vehicles and prompted the evacuation of residents from nearby apartments.

In response, the South Korean government is pushing for more transparency to alleviate public anxiety over the safety of EV batteries.

Car companies respond to calls for transparency

In light of the government’s push for transparency, several car manufacturers have begun identifying the battery suppliers for their EVs.

Hyundai Motor and Genesis have disclosed that their EVs use batteries from LG Energy Solution, SK On, and China’s CATL, according to their website.

Kia Corp has also named its primary battery suppliers, LGES and SK On, while confirming that some of its models are powered by CATL.

Mercedes-Benz Korea, involved in the Incheon incident, stated that it primarily uses batteries from CATL and Farasis Energy, with some sourced from LGES and SK On.

The company is actively cooperating to determine the cause of the fire and plans to offer free inspections to EV owners.

Industry response and expert opinions

South Korean battery manufacturers LGES, SK On, and Samsung SDI have not commented on their batteries’ involvement in EV fires, while CATL and Farasis have not responded to requests for comments.

Industry insiders believe that battery makers are unlikely to oppose the government’s transparency push, though they caution against assuming that batteries are solely responsible for such incidents.

Experts have noted that while disclosing battery information could provide consumers with more choice, it may not significantly improve safety due to the limited data on which battery brands are more prone to fires.

Kim Jonghoon, a professor at Chungnam National University, highlighted the need for advancements in battery management systems to provide earlier warnings and mitigate the risks associated with EV fires.

Safety concerns remain despite transparency efforts

Despite efforts to increase transparency, safety concerns related to EV batteries persist.

The Incheon fire has heightened public fears, with some experts suggesting that the anxiety surrounding EVs, often referred to as “EV phobia,” may continue for some time.

The South Korean government’s call for greater battery disclosure is viewed as a preliminary step, with further measures needed to enhance the safety and reliability of EVs.

South Korea government advises automakers to reveal battery details for electric vehicles: Summary

The South Korean government is urging automakers to disclose the battery types used in their electric vehicles to address safety concerns following a recent fire in Incheon.

The incident involved a Mercedes-Benz EV with Farasis Energy batteries, resulting in extensive damage and raising public fears.

In response, some car manufacturers, including Hyundai, Kia, and Mercedes-Benz, have begun naming their battery suppliers.

However, experts caution that while this transparency may offer consumers more choices, it might not significantly impact safety without further advancements in battery management systems.

The government’s initiative marks a step towards addressing the issue, but concerns about EV safety remain prevalent.