Mercedes Benz fire incident may slow down EV transition in South Korea

An electric vehicle manufactured by Mercedes-Benz erupted into flames in Incheon, South Korea, sparking widespread concern about the safety of battery-powered automobiles in recent months. The incident resulted in 23 individuals being hospitalised due to smoke inhalation and left over 200 families temporarily displaced for several weeks.

According to official reports, firefighters battled for more than eight hours to extinguish the blaze, which originated from an unplugged electric sedan that exploded in an underground apartment parking facility in July.

In the aftermath of this event, a wave of apprehension regarding electric vehicles has swept across the country, a phenomenon that local media outlets have dubbed "EV phobia." The majority of residential complexes throughout South Korea have issued cautionary notices to EV owners regarding the charging of their vehicles, with some establishments going as far as to completely prohibit EVs from entering or parking on their premises.

The public outcry prompted the government to introduce a set of regulations earlier this month aimed at alleviating these concerns. One notable measure requires automakers to disclose the brand of battery used in their vehicles. Although batteries are a critical and potentially hazardous component in electric cars if not properly manufactured or managed, automakers have traditionally kept the identity of their battery suppliers confidential, not only in Korea but globally.

As an EV owner for approximately three years, the author of this piece expresses surprise at never having been privy to details about the battery powering their vehicle. This realisation now seems both peculiar and unjust, given that batteries are among the most crucial and expensive components of an electric vehicle.

Once the new regulations take effect, consumers in Korea should be able to factor in battery manufacturers when considering an EV purchase. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the level of detail the government will require automakers to disclose, and whether existing EV owners will be able to retroactively learn about the brand of battery in their vehicles.

The timing of this dramatic fire incident is particularly unfortunate, coinciding with a global slowdown in EV sales growth. The broader negative sentiment toward EVs is also undermining the Korean government's efforts to promote eco-friendly vehicles and expand charging infrastructure throughout the country.

Prior to the incident, South Korea's EV market had been experiencing rapid growth, with electric vehicles accounting for over 9 per cent of new car registrations in the previous year, according to transport ministry data. However, in the wake of the July incident, most automakers experienced a decline in EV sales during August.

With the investigation still ongoing and the cause of the Mercedes fire yet to be determined, some carmakers, including Hyundai, General Motors, and Porsche, have taken proactive measures by voluntarily disclosing their battery suppliers and offering complimentary safety inspections to EV owners.

The government has also committed to enhancing safety measures in parking facilities and mandating that more EV manufacturers and battery charging operators maintain adequate insurance coverage. However, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be sufficient to alleviate the unease surrounding EVs. The author, for their part, expresses contentment with continuing to drive their electric vehicle.