EV fire fears stoke consideration for battery detail disclosure policy

The rising number of EV fires has prompted the government to mull a policy that would require automakers to disclose the details of their vehicles' batteries to consumers.

The burnt Mercedes EQE sedan is transferred for investigation in Incheon on Monday. The EV explosion injured 23 people and damaged more than 140 vehicles in the parking garage. Some 500 households have been suffering from electricity outrages for a week. [YONHAP]

The government is considering a new policy requiring EV makers to disclose the details of the installed batteries to consumers amid growing fear over fires after a Mercedes EV burst into flames in Incheon last week.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is reviewing strengthening related regulations to include details such as the brand and product name in the list of information carmakers must share with the public upon the introduction of a new vehicle, according to local reports on Thursday.

CCTV footage shows a Mercedes-Benz EV exploding in an underground parking garage in Incheon last week. [YONHAP]

Currently, the required information includes basic specifications like weight, size, horsepower, efficiency and battery capacity. Customers who would like to know more details about the batteries have to make inquiries directly to the carmakers.

The consideration comes as Korean consumers' so-called electric vehicle-phobia is accelerating after a Mercedes EQE sedan exploded in a parking garage in Incheon, resulting in a fire that sent 23 people to hospitals and damaged 140 vehicles. Nearly 500 households suffered from electricity outages that have lasted for a straight week.

The Mercedes EQE model is confirmed to be powered by batteries made by China's Farasis Energy, the 10th largest battery maker in the world.

Concerns and complaints have become ubiquitous in online communities, where customers are demanding that the government guarantee their right to access such information.

A Kia EV6 catches fire in a parking lot in South Chungcheong on Tuesday. [JOONGANG ILBO]

The European Union has already decided to implement a regulation that requires EV makers to clarify battery details starting in 2026. It is reviewing a digital battery passport that contains all data throughout a vehicle's life cycle that would be accessible to buyers.

Several states in the United States have also been pushing for similar policies.

The Transport Ministry is also planning to introduce a new EV battery safety certification system in February of next year that requires battery makers to acquire safety certification from the ministry before products can hit the market.

That policy, however, does not open any details to the public.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment plans to open a meeting with officials from related ministries to come up with countermeasures to prevent EV fires.

The Korean government aims to draw up outlines of laws by early September.

EV fire cases totaled three in 2018, but skyrocketed to 72 in 2023, according to the National Fire Agency.

The cumulative number of EV fires over the last three years totaled 139, with 68 of them occurring while driving while 36 were parked cars. The remaining 26 happened during charging.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]