A Mercedes-Benz Fireplace Might Cloud South Korea’s EV Transition – Cyber Tech

A Mercedes-Benz electrical automobile that burst into flames within the South Korean metropolis of Incheon has fueled public worry over the security of battery-powered vehicles in current months.

The incident noticed 23 individuals hospitalized for smoke inhalation and left greater than 200 households homeless for weeks. Authorities mentioned it took greater than eight hours to extinguish the blaze, which was triggered after an unplugged electrical sedan exploded in an underground house carpark in July.

Since then, there’s been widespread nervousness over EVs, a phenomenon dubbed “EV phobia” by native media. Most residential buildings throughout the nation have issued notices advising EV homeowners to be cautious after they cost their vehicles, whereas some have even banned EVs solely from getting into or parking.

South Korea to Advance EV Battery Certification Scheme After Sequence of Fires

The general public uproar prompted the federal government earlier this month to introduce a set of rules geared toward easing issues, together with a requirement that automakers disclose the model of battery used of their autos.

Though batteries are a crucial part in electrical vehicles and might pose critical security dangers if not correctly manufactured or managed, automakers have to date saved the id of their battery suppliers confidential, not simply in Korea however across the globe.

As an EV proprietor myself of about three years, I’ve by no means had the privilege of figuring out any particulars in regards to the battery that sits inside my automotive. This now feels each odd and unfair, on condition that batteries are one of the essential and costly components of the automobile. Shouldn’t customers have the best to clear and clear data earlier than making any buy, particularly when it’s carefully tied to security?

As soon as the brand new rules take impact (no date has been set and it might be months), customers in Korea ought to have the ability to take into account battery producers when buying an EV. There’s additionally nonetheless an absence of readability round how a lot element the federal government would require automakers to reveal, and whether or not EV homeowners like myself will have the ability to retrospectively be taught the model of the battery that powers our vehicles.

The dramatic fireplace rattled the Korean public at a quite unlucky time when EV gross sales development – globally – is slowing. The broader detrimental sentiment towards EVs can also be undermining the federal government’s efforts right here to roll out extra eco-friendly vehicles and beef up charging infrastructure throughout the nation.

Earlier than the incident, the nation’s EV market had been rising quickly, accounting for greater than 9% of recent automotive registrations final 12 months, in accordance with information from the transport ministry. However after the July incident, most automakers suffered from a decline in EV gross sales in August.

With the investigation nonetheless underway and the reason for the Mercedes fireplace but to be recognized, some carmakers, together with Hyundai, Normal Motors and Porsche have taken the matter into their very own fingers by voluntarily disclosing their battery suppliers and providing free security inspections to EV homeowners.

The federal government has additionally pledged to strengthen security measures in parking tons and require extra EV makers and battery charging operators to have satisfactory insurance coverage cowl. Whether or not these measures are sufficient to calm the unease round EVs is but to be seen. As for me, I’m content material to maintain driving my EV.

And the flip aspect of danger is alternative. If South Korea pushes ahead and finally ends up with efficient and complete rules in place, it might be an opportunity for the nation to construct a extra resilient atmosphere for EVs sooner or later.

Photograph credit score: Andreas Gebert/Bloomberg