ROK fast-tracks EV battery certification amid safety concerns

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Officials from the police, fire department and National Forensic Service conduct a second joint forensic examination of an electric car that caught fire in the underground parking lot of an apartment complex in Incheon, Republic of Korea, August 2, 2024. /CFP

The government and the ruling party of the Republic of Korea (ROK) announced on Sunday that they will expedite the launch of an electric vehicle (EV) battery certification program to address growing public safety concerns following a series of EV fires.

Originally planned for a later date, the program will now begin in October. The move comes after an EV fire on August 1, involving a Mercedes-Benz with Farasis Energy batteries, took eight hours to control and caused damage to around 140 vehicles, forcing some residents in nearby apartments to evacuate.

Han Zeea, a spokesperson for the People Power Party, said that in addition to fast-tracking the certification program, the government will require automakers to disclose the manufacturers of the batteries used in their EVs. Some automakers have already started providing this information voluntarily.

While the ROK battery manufacturers are not expected to resist these new transparency measures, experts caution that disclosing battery information alone may not necessarily increase safety, as there is still limited data on which battery brands are more susceptible to fires.

However, specialists note that EV fires are distinct from those involving traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, often burning longer and being more difficult to put out due to their tendency to reignite.

(With input from Reuters)