Gov't to urge carmakers to disclose EV battery details as fire-driven phobia spreads

The government advised automakers to voluntarily disclose the details of batteries in their EVs as consumer fears spread in the wake of a Mercedes EV explosion at the start of the month.

An official checks thermal cameras installed in an EV charging area in a public parking lot in southern Seoul on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

All auto manufacturers in Korea will be advised by the government to voluntarily disclose the details of the batteries installed in their EVs — hitherto treated as confidential — in the latest effort to calm public anxiety after a Mercedes EV explosion earlier in the month.

The automakers will also be advised to offer free checkup services to EV owners.

CCTV footage shows a Mercedes-Benz EV exploding at an underground parking lot in Incheon on Aug. 1. [YONHAP]

The Office for Government Policy Coordination under the Prime Minister's Secretariat held a meeting on Tuesday with related ministries to discuss countermeasures to growing concerns over EV fires. Executives from major automakers were also invited to share their opinions.

"The latest measure should be implemented at the earliest possible moment considering that it is directly related to people's safety in their daily lives," said Bang Ki-sun, government policy coordination minister, during the meeting. "Countermeasures will be set in accordance with public expectations."

The government will also conduct inspections of fire suppression equipment and systems like sprinklers installed in residences including apartment buildings.

A thorough set of measures will be announced within September, the governmental body said.

The recommendation comes in the wake of an underground parking garage fire at an apartment complex in Incheon on Aug. 1 caused by an exploding Mercedes EQE EV, which sent 23 people to hospitals. The incident damaged as many as 880 vehicles parked in the garage and inflicted electricity and water supply outages on nearly 500 households for a week.

The burnt Mercedes EQE sedan is transferred for investigation in Incheon. The EV explosion injured 23 people and damaged around 880 vehicles in the parking garage. Some 500 households have suffered from electricity outrages for a week. [YONHAP]

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