Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Carmakers urged to disclose EV battery details
Officials from Mercedes-Benz and police officers conduct a joint investigation into a charred EQE sedan in Incheon, Thursday. Yonhap
By Lee Min-hyung
Hyundai unveils battery info, gov’t may demand Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Tesla to follow
Carmakers are under growing pressure to disclose key information about the batteries used in their electric vehicles (EVs), as the government plans to impose such requirements in response to a devastating fire involving a Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan sold in Korea.
Few EV makers, both domestically and internationally, have been willing to disclose the types of batteries used in their vehicles. This reluctance stems from the fact that neither Korea nor other developed countries, including the United States, have established specific legal requirements for EVs, largely due to the industry's relative infancy.
But the latest fiasco has sparked growing calls for the government and relevant authorities to force EV manufacturers to disclose detailed information about batteries used in all of their vehicle lineups. The vehicle fire, which erupted earlier this month at an apartment complex in Incheon, is estimated to have caused at least 10 billion won ($7.33 million) in damage.
Hyundai Motor on Friday revealed on its website the producers of the batteries powering its 13 EVs — 10 Hyundai and three Genesis models.
Among Hyundai cars, the Kona Electric was equipped with CATL batteries, while nine others use batteries either from LG Energy Solution and SK On. The three Genesis EV models are all powered by SK On batteries.
Hyundai Motor explained that, due to rising inquiries about EV batteries after the recent fire, it decided to disclose battery information ahead of any government measures. Kia, Hyundai’s affiliate, is also expected to release the battery details of its EVs on its website.
Officials at imported carmakers in Korea said they will comply with the government’s new requirement.
“We will make it public once the government orders us to do so,” a spokesman for BMW Korea said.
“Even before the latest controversy, we have let customers or reporters know about battery information involving our EVs upon their request.”
Other imported automakers also expressed similar support for the new requirement.
“Audi Korea is willing to comply with the upcoming rule, and will disclose which battery cells we have sourced for our EVs in line with detailed guidelines from the government,” an official at Audi Korea said.
But Mercedes-Benz Korea did not specify its stance, citing the ongoing investigation.
“As the investigation is still underway, we cannot make any further comments regarding the latest EV fire,” an official at the luxury carmaker said.
Officials from Mercedes-Benz look at a charred electric vehicle during a joint investigation with Korean inspectors in Incheon, Thursday. The vehicle exploded suddenly at an underground parking lot of a residential building in the western port city, Aug. 1. Yonhap
As the EV fire controversy intensifies, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport decided to implement a comprehensive plan to minimize damage from any potential recurrence of similar incidents. Mandating automakers to disclose battery information when selling their EVs is expected to be one of the measures that will be announced in early September.
This aligns with the global shift toward increased transparency and safety in the EV industry.
Beginning in 2026, the European Union plans to introduce a digital battery passport rule. Under the regulation, any battery used in an EV will require labels which specify key information, such as the manufacturer. Other details on the capacity of the batteries and even critical raw materials contained should also be specified.
The authority will also require all battery packs to come with QR codes from 2027, making such details more readily accessible to customers.
The U.S. is also pursuing a similar regulation. According to California’s Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) regulation, a label detailing information on battery manufacturers and its capacity should be attached to the exterior of EV batteries from 2026.
Korean authorities are also moving to offer special incentives to carmakers that provide battery safety information through charging connectors. Starting in 2025, the Ministry of Environment will offer an additional subsidy of 300,000 won to carmakers which do so.
Hyundai Motor Group and KG Mobility, two domestic carmakers, have decided to adopt the new measures. However, it remains unclear whether imported carmakers will follow suit.