South Korea’s transport ministry plans to talk with automakers nationwide about potential electric vehicle (EV) policies.
South Korea’s environment ministry recently held an emergency meeting to discuss EV fire safety concerns after an electric Mercedez-Benz caught fire in an underground parking garage. The blaze has fueled fears about fire safety and electric vehicles.
Land and industry ministries attended the meeting. The National Fire Agency was also present. The transport ministry wants to hear from local automakers, including Hyundai Motor Group, Mercedez-Benz Korea, and Volkswagen Group Korea.
South Korea’s government wants to require automakers to disclose the battery brands they use to supply their EVs. Professor Moon Hak-hoon from Osan University states that the new requirement will not prevent fires associated with EV batteries. However, Moon acknowledges that divulging EV battery suppliers would help certify fire hazards from specific brands. He also stated that it would help buyers choose their EV brands more carefully.
Following news of the environment ministry’s emergency meeting, Hyundai Motor Group released a list of battery manufacturers it uses for EV production. Most of Hyundai’s EV batteries come from LG Energy Solution and SK On. Only one Hyundai EV, the Kona Electric, uses batteries from China-based supplier CATL.
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