S. Korea tightens EV safety measures after battery fires

South Korea’s government and ruling party have decided on Sunday to advance an electric vehicle (EV) battery certification programme to address safety concerns following EV fires.

The certification scheme will begin in October, ahead of schedule, to ensure the safety of EV batteries. Automakers in the country will also be mandated to disclose the batteries used in their electric vehicles.

The latest agreement on stricter EV safety regulations follows the government’s earlier request for car manufacturers to voluntarily disclose battery information after a concerning EV fire on August 1st.

A fire broke out in an electric Mercedes-Benz vehicle powered by Farasis Energy batteries, taking eight hours to extinguish. The blaze destroyed or damaged around 140 cars and forced residents in the apartments above to relocate to shelters.

Experts believe requiring car companies to identify batteries will provide consumers with more informed choices. However, some question the safety impact considering the lack of conclusive data on which battery brands are more susceptible to fires.

In addition to the battery certification programme, the government will introduce more safety measures. This will involve updating fire equipment regulations to require wet pipe sprinkler systems in underground parking lots with EV charging stations and increasing the use of chargers that prevent overcharging, a party spokesperson said.

Attribution: Reuters

Subediting: Y.Yasser