South Korea requires electric vehicle manufacturers to disclose battery brands after fires. On August 8, the Ministry of Environment announced plans for an emergency meeting next week. This meeting will address fire issues involving electric vehicles, including a large fire that caused extensive damage. The meeting will also establish measures to prevent such incidents. The Ministry of Environment stated that other national agencies, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the National Fire Agency, will join the meeting on Monday. The government plans to announce comprehensive measures to prevent electric vehicle fires soon. According to Yonhap News, the government will release new measures early next month. The Chosun Ilbo reported that a transport ministry official said South Korea plans to require electric vehicle manufacturers to disclose the battery brands used in their cars. Currently, manufacturers must provide information like fuel efficiency, and they offer limited details on batteries but do not need to disclose specific suppliers. The Ministry of Transport declined to comment on these reports. Last week, a Mercedes-Benz electric sedan caught fire in the underground garage of an apartment building in Incheon.
In February, the Seoul Fire and Disaster Command released a report. From 2013 to 2022, underground parking lots in South Korea experienced 1,399 fires. Vehicles caused 43.7% of these fires. Among car fires in underground garages, 53% resulted from electrical sources. Analysts warn that government authorities and the electric vehicle industry must quickly address public concerns about safety. Esther Yim, an analyst at Samsung Securities, stated, “A series of electric vehicle fires in underground parking lots has increased consumer distrust. This could prolong the current slump in the electric vehicle market.” She urged the electric vehicle industry to take action to reassure consumers.