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Porsche, Stellantis, Jaguar to follow gov't recommendation to disclose battery info
Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Bang Ki-sun, third from left, presides over a vice ministerial meeting related to electric vehicle safety at the Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Park Jae-hyuk
Comprehensive plans for EV safety to be announced next month
Carmakers and automobile importers should voluntarily disclose the manufacturers of batteries used in their electric vehicles (EVs) sold in Korea and provide free inspections of their EVs to dispel worries over potential fires, the government recommended on Tuesday.
Additionally, fire apparatuses in underground parking garages of apartment buildings will be inspected to reassure residents there.
These measures were proposed during a vice ministerial meeting earlier in the day to dispel public concerns over EVs and come up with effective countermeasures.
Even before the government’s latest recommendation, three Korean carmakers — Hyundai Motor, Kia and KG Mobility — and five foreign brands — BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Volvo and Polestar — released the origins of batteries used in their EVs sold in this country.
Following a separate meeting with carmakers and vehicle importers later in the day, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said that Porsche, Stellantis and Jaguar Land Rover will disclose the information of the batteries used in their EVs within this month.
Tesla, General Motors and Volkswagen will decide whether to disclose their battery information after talking with their headquarters, according to the ministry.
On Tuesday, Hyundai Motor, Kia and Mercedes also launched free inspection services for EV owners.
The transport ministry said that Tesla, BMW and Renault will also provide free inspection services this month.
"Volkswagen has been providing free inspection services throughout the year," a ministry official said.
"GM, Porsche, Polestar, Stellantis and Jaguar Land Rover plan to announce specific schedules for their inspection services later."
The government plans to announce comprehensive measures to prevent EV-caused fires next month after listening to opinions from industry officials and experts.
“Given that this issue is related directly to the safety of people’s everyday lives, relevant ministries should immediately improve safety measures, even before announcing comprehensive plans, if possible,” said Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Bang Ki-sun, who presided over the vice ministerial meeting.
After a deadly fire at Aricell’s lithium battery plant killed 23 people and injured eight in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, June 24, a pan-governmental task force was organized to inspect EV chargers and firefighting apparatuses in underground garages.
However, the need for pan-governmental efforts to prevent EV-caused blazes has increased since a fire caused by a Mercedes-Benz electric sedan in an Incheon apartment complex’s parking garage burned hundreds of other vehicles and damaged the building.
The government said it will take into account the feasibility and the EV industry’s competitiveness, when mulling over comprehensive measures to be announced next month.