From next month, the South Korean government will begin certifying the safety of electric vehicle (EV) batteries prior to their market release. Along with battery manufacturers, companies will be required to disclose more specific information about the batteries, such as their type and form. However, the planned rollout of mandatory EV parking spaces and charging stations in existing apartment complexes, initially set for January next year, has been pushed back by a year.
These measures are part of the government’s “EV Fire Safety Management Plan.” The initiative follows an EV-related fire in Incheon last August, which caused extensive damage. The incident was not only linked to battery issues but also complicated by the fact that it occurred in an underground parking lot, where firefighting efforts were hampered, and sprinklers malfunctioned. As a result, the plan addresses not only EVs and batteries but also charging stations, parking lots, and fire prevention systems.
The EV battery certification system, initially slated for implementation in February next year, will now launch as a pilot program this October. The goal is to have the government certify battery safety in advance. Until now, manufacturers were responsible for adhering to safety standards, with the government conducting post-market inspections. Under the new system, battery makers will need to pass safety tests at institutions like the Korea Transportation Safety Authority before their products can be sold. This means the government will guarantee battery safety upfront.
Previously, manufacturers only needed to disclose a battery’s capacity and maximum output. Now, they will also be required to provide information about the battery’s type (prismatic, pouch, or cylindrical) and the raw materials used. A government official noted that the intent is to give consumers enough information about the batteries when purchasing EVs.
That said, the government has been cautious about pinpointing the technical causes of EV fires. Bang Ki-sun, Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, commented, “There is no scientifically proven evidence linking overcharging directly to fires.” Instead of implementing broad regulations on EVs, which are still evolving, the government plans to introduce various safety mechanisms to minimize fire risks.
As part of this, the government will increase the number of “smart control chargers,” equipped with overcharge prevention technology, from 20,000 this year to 71,000 next year. Additionally, it will bolster the Battery Management System (BMS), which controls battery charging and heating in EVs. For vehicles lacking this feature, the government will offer free installations, while vehicles already equipped will receive system upgrades. Currently, around 73% of the 600,000 electric vehicles on the road in South Korea have a BMS.
