⁠Mercedes-Benz fire shakes South Korea's EV transition

A recent incident involving a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle (EV) in South Korea has sparked concerns about EV safety and could potentially impact the nation's ambitious push towards electric transportation. In early August, a fire originating from a Mercedes-Benz electric sedan in an underground parking facility of an apartment complex in Incheon, near Seoul, resulted in extensive damage and injuries.

The blaze, which reached temperatures exceeding 1,500 degrees Celsius, engulfed nearly 900 vehicles and led to smoke inhalation injuries for 23 individuals. Firefighters battled the inferno for more than eight hours before successfully extinguishing it. While the exact cause of the fire remains undisclosed, the event has captured significant public attention due to its scale and intensity.

Although fires are statistically less frequent in electric vehicles compared to their gasoline-powered counterparts, this incident has heightened safety concerns among South Korean consumers. The country, a major global automobile producer, has been aggressively promoting the adoption of electric vehicles as part of its environmental strategy.

The aftermath of the fire has seen a notable shift in consumer sentiment. K Car, a popular second hand car sales platform, reported a nearly threefold increase in EV owners listing their vehicles for sale following the incident. Potential car buyers, like Seoul office worker Lee Min, have expressed increased apprehension about EV safety, particularly regarding the risk of fire.

Media coverage and social media discussions have largely focused on perceived risks associated with battery charging. In response, various stakeholders have taken action to address these concerns. The Seoul municipal government announced plans to limit EV charging in residential building parking lots to 90% capacity by the end of the following month, although some experts question the effectiveness of this measure in improving safety.

Automakers, including Mercedes-Benz Korea, have offered free safety inspections for EV owners and disclosed their battery suppliers in an effort to maintain consumer confidence. Mercedes-Benz identified Farasis Energy, a Chinese company, as the supplier of the battery in the vehicle involved in the fire. Farasis Energy has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.

Lee Ho-Geun, an automotive engineering professor at Daeduk University, predicts a temporary decline in EV popularity due to heightened public fear. This comes at a time when South Korea's EV market had been experiencing significant growth, with electric vehicles accounting for 9.3 per centof new car sales in the previous year.

The South Korean government has been actively promoting EV adoption through various incentives, including buyer subsidies and tax breaks for manufacturers. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40 per cent by 2030, compared to 2018 levels. The government aims to phase out sales of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035 and has invested substantially in charging infrastructure.

Despite the recent fire, statistics show that EVs are less prone to fires than conventional vehicles. According to the U.S. National Transportation and Safety Board, there are only 25 fires per 100,000 EVs, compared to 1,530 for gasoline-powered vehicles. However, experts note that EV fires, particularly those involving lithium batteries, can be more intense and damaging.

The Incheon fire has resonated strongly in South Korea due to the prevalence of apartment living and shared underground parking facilities. Security footage showed smoke emanating from the Mercedes EQE 350 before it burst into flames, despite not being plugged in at the time.

In response to the incident, Mercedes-Benz Korea's president, Mathias Vaitl, announced a compensation package of 4.5 billion won for affected residents. The company expressed deep regret for the impact of the fire but did not comment on its cause.

The incident has prompted increased transparency in the EV industry, with several automakers, including Hyundai and Kia, disclosing their battery suppliers. The South Korean government has announced plans to require all automakers to reveal their battery suppliers by early next year.

Government officials have pledged to implement comprehensive measures to address public concerns and prevent similar incidents in the future. However, experts like Lee argue that more substantial changes are needed, including upgrades to charging infrastructure and fire-response systems. He suggests that simply capping battery charges at 90 per cent may not be sufficient to prevent all fire risks.

As South Korea continues its transition towards electric mobility, balancing technological advancement with public safety concerns remains a critical challenge for both the government and the automotive industry.