Over 3,000 electric vehicles in South Korea are equipped with the same battery that caught fire in a Mercedes-Benz EQE parked in an underground parking lot in Incheon, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT). The Mercedes-Benz EQE uses battery cells by Chinese EV battery maker Farasis Energy. MOLIT says it will issue a recall order if the joint forensic investigation reveals the fire was caused by a defect in the battery or vehicle system.
But many experts believe pinpointing the exact cause of the fire is nearly impossible. If the joint investigation fails to identify the cause, MOLIT may conduct a separate investigation to determine the cause before deciding on a recall.
The problem is how long it will take to determine the cause of the fire and issue a potential recall. Experts are concerned that if MOLIT follows the same procedures as it did in 2018, when it took eight months to recall BMW vehicles after more than 40 caught fire, it could leave room for more accidents. The BMW fires caused significant property damage and fueled widespread public fear, commonly referred to as “diesel phobia.” Given the precedent, some urge the government to take proactive and decisive action.
MOLIT confirmed on August 8 that more than 3,000 Mercedes-Benz EQE sedans in Korea use Farasis Energy battery cells. Over the weekend, the ministry advised Mercedes-Benz Korea to conduct special inspections on these vehicles, citing concerns about another potential fire.
The police are conducting a full-scale investigation on the EV battery explosion of a Mercedes-Benz EQE that was parked in an apartment complex in Incheon on August 1, which damaged 140 cars and 23 people hospitalized. Surveillance footage showed smoke coming out of the vehicle before it burst into flames.
Farasis Energy, the eighth-largest battery maker in the world as of last year, has been supplying battery cells to Mercedes-Benz since 2017. The company has a history of recalls. China’s state-owned Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC) recalled more than 30,000 electric vehicles equipped with Farasis batteries, stating “potential fire risks.” Farasis batteries are used in various Mercedes-Benz models, including the EQE, EQA, and EQB models, according to Chinese media.
Experts are also exploring other potential causes, such as issues with the vehicle’s software or power grid. The vehicle that caught fire in the underground parking lot in Incheon began smoking suddenly while parked, eventually exploding and catching fire, even though it was not charging nor running at the time.
