Disclosing the manufacturers of batteries used in electric vehicles in South Korea is becoming an unstoppable trend. After it was revealed that a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle, which caused a major fire in the underground parking lot of an apartment complex in Cheongna, Incheon, on Aug. 1, was equipped with batteries from Farasis, a Chinese company ranked among the world’s top 10, concerns grew that these unverified batteries might be the direct cause of the fire.
Starting with Hyundai Motor on Aug. 10, Kia and BMW followed suit on Aug. 12, and on Aug. 13, even Mercedes-Benz, which had been hesitant, disclosed the battery manufacturers used in each model. Other import car companies are reportedly explaining to their headquarters that consumer concerns in South Korea are significant and are pushing positively for disclosure. On the same day, the Office for Government Policy Coordination discussed measures to respond to electric vehicle fires and decided to recommend all domestic manufacturers disclose battery information.
The spotlight is particularly on Mercedes-Benz for disclosing its battery suppliers. According to the announcement on Aug. 13, the company has sold 29 models of electric vehicles in South Korea, eight of which (a total of 5,582 units) are equipped with batteries from Farasis. The rest use batteries from the world’s No. 1 manufacturer, China’s CATL (12 models), and South Korean companies SK On (seven models) and LG Energy Solution (two models).
In addition to the EQE 350+ involved in the fire, other models equipped with Farasis batteries include the EQE 53 4MATIC+, EQE 350 4MATIC, and EQE 500 4MATIC SUV. The EQS 350, a top-tier electric vehicle with a starting price of about 140 million won, also has 772 units equipped with Farasis batteries.
After the fire in Cheongna on Aug. 1, Mercedes-Benz initially maintained that “it is our principle not to disclose the manufacturers of individual car parts,” refusing to reveal the battery supplier for the car involved. Even after the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport disclosed that the battery was from Farasis, the company held the same position. Industry insiders speculate that Mercedes-Benz reversed its stance, fearing that sticking to the company’s principles would further erode consumer trust in South Korea.
The trend of automakers disclosing battery suppliers is solidifying. With expectations of a slowdown in electric vehicle demand due to growing “EV phobia” in the latter half of this year, some in the industry are saying, “How transparently electric vehicle information is disclosed could determine survival.”
Polestar, an electric vehicle company that unveiled its first new car in two years, the Polestar 4, in Seoul’s Yongsan District, announced that the new car is equipped with CATL’s NCM (nickel, cobalt, manganese) batteries. Polestar Korea CEO Ham Jong-sung said, “We have transparently disclosed battery suppliers since we first launched cars in South Korea in 2022, and we will continue to disclose this information for future new car releases.”
Stellantis, which owns brands like Jeep and Peugeot, plans to disclose battery suppliers on its website within the week. Porsche and Jaguar Land Rover will make disclosures in August. Other companies, including Tesla, GM, Renault, Volkswagen, and Audi, are in discussions with their headquarters to consider whether to disclose this information.
Meanwhile, the South Korean government plans to announce comprehensive measures to prevent and respond to electric vehicle fires next month. Prior to this, the government will recommend that companies selling cars in South Korea provide “free inspections and battery information disclosures” for electric vehicles. Additionally, emergency inspections of fire protection systems, such as sprinklers in underground parking lots of large apartment complexes, are planned.
