S. Korea considers new EV safety rules after underground garage fire

South Korean officials convened on Monday to address growing safety concerns surrounding electric vehicles (EVs) following a major fire in an underground garage that damaged an apartment complex.

The incident, which occurred on August 1, involved a Mercedes-Benz EV that reportedly caught fire spontaneously, leading to the destruction or damage of around 140 vehicles and displacing some residents who had to seek shelter. The fire took eight hours to extinguish.

In response to this and similar incidents, the government, led by the vice environment minister, is considering new safety regulations, including the potential requirement for car manufacturers to disclose the brands of batteries used in EVs. Representatives from the transport and industry ministries, as well as the national fire agency, participated in the meeting, with new rules expected to be announced soon.

On Tuesday, the transport ministry is scheduled to hold discussions with automakers such as Hyundai Motor Group, Mercedes-Benz Korea and Volkswagen Group Korea regarding the proposed battery disclosure. However, neither the ministry nor the automakers have provided immediate comments on these developments.

The fire has heightened public anxiety, particularly given that many South Koreans live in apartment buildings with underground parking lots. The incident follows another EV fire earlier this month involving a Kia EV6 equipped with batteries from South Korean manufacturer SK On.

Experts note that EV fires differ significantly from those involving internal combustion engine vehicles, as they tend to burn longer and are more difficult to extinguish due to the risk of reignition. A report by the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters revealed that from 2013 to 2022, 43.7 percent of the 1,399 fires in underground parking lots were caused by vehicles, with electrical sources being responsible for 53 percent of those vehicle fires.

(With input from Reuters)