SEOUL, South Korea – In a move aimed at enhancing safety and transparency in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, the South Korean government has mandated all auto manufacturers selling EVs in the country to disclose detailed information about their vehicles’ battery systems. This decision follows a recent incident of an EV fire in a residential parking garage in Incheon, which resulted in significant losses.
Background of the Mandate
On September 6, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duk-soo convened a meeting of ministers from relevant government departments to finalize and announce the new safety management measures for electric vehicles. The government has decided that all automakers selling EVs in South Korea must disclose key information about the vehicles’ power batteries.
The decision to impose this obligation came after a fire involving a Mercedes-Benz EV in an underground parking garage in Incheon last month. In response, the government recommended that all vehicle manufacturers proactively disclose battery information for their available EV models. However, starting from the same day, it was made mandatory for car manufacturers to disclose the battery information.
Details of the Requirement
In addition to battery capacity, rated voltage, and maximum output power, manufacturers will now also be required to disclose information about the battery pack manufacturer, its form, and the main raw materials used. The government has outlined these changes as part of its efforts to enhance safety and transparency in the EV market.
Implementation and Future Plans
The South Korean government has also announced that it will introduce a battery archive management system starting next February. Under this system, the voltage of the battery pack, battery temperature, charging and aging degree, and cumulative charging and discharging times will be included as mandatory inspection items during regular maintenance of EVs.
Furthermore, to prevent fires in underground parking garages of buildings, it has been decided that all new underground parking garages will be required to install automatic sprinkler fire extinguishing systems. The obligation to expand EV parking areas and charging facilities in non-new buildings was initially scheduled to be implemented next January, but the government has decided to postpone it for one year.
Conclusion
The South Korean government’s decision to require automakers to disclose detailed information about the batteries of EVs is a significant step towards enhancing safety and transparency in the EV market. By ensuring that consumers have access to comprehensive information about the batteries of EVs, the government aims to build trust in the technology and encourage wider adoption of electric vehicles.
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