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.
Hyundai Motor, Kia, Genesis launch free EV inspections
A mechanic from Hyundai Motor inspects the carmaker's IONIQ 5 electric vehicle in this undated file photo. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
By Lee Min-hyung
Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Genesis introduced a free inspection service for customers who purchased their electric vehicles (EVs) in response to increasing concerns over EV fires reported both domestically and internationally, the Hyundai Motor Group said Tuesday.
Customers driving any of the carmakers' EVs can use the service by visiting their service centers nationwide.
"We have decided to start the service as part of our efforts to ensure customers' safety amid heightening fears about EVs," an official from Hyundai Motor said.
"They can make a reservation by contacting our customer service centers to inspect nine safety-related categories for their EVs."
The carmakers will check whether key parts of EVs are damaged. They include a cooling system and a lower body.
Hyundai Motor operates the EV Every Care system, under which any customer who purchased the carmaker's Kona Electric, IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 can get new vehicles in case the vehicles are completely burnt down from an unexpected fire in less than a year after their delivery. Kia also runs a similar program to address lingering fears customers have about EVs.
"We will keep supporting customers, so they can enjoy safer driving experiences by helping them reduce a sense of lingering fears on EVs," the official said.