Automakers bust EV safety myths after Mercedes-Benz EV fire case

South Korean automakers are pushing ahead with their electric vehicle (EV) launches despite mounting public worries about EV safety. To reassure customers, key industry actors are constantly attempting to debunk misinformation about safe charging techniques.

Concerns over EV safety grew after a parked Mercedes-Benz EV spontaneously caught fire, demolishing an entire underground parking garage in an apartment complex in Incheon, 27 kilometres west of Seoul, and damaging over 100 vehicles, according to Yonhap news agency.

Following the update, experts have responded by highlighting the possible fire dangers linked with completely or overcharged EVs, leading regulators to enact safety precautions. For example, the Seoul municipal administration has announced plans to limit the admission of EVs with more than 90% charge into underground parking garages in apartment complexes.

Moreover, several municipal governments around the nation have declared or were considering similar steps, such as relocating subterranean EV charging stations to above-ground sites.

Following their reaction to safety concerns, vehicle makers are now actively promoting the safety of EVs to revive the automotive market from the recent drop in demand internationally due to the so-called adoption chasm.

In particular, Hyundai Motor and Kia, are expecting to break through the global EV market slowdown with their new affordable and sophisticated vehicles, the Casper Electric subcompact and EV3 SUV, respectively.

The two businesses claim that their EV batteries are engineered to be safe even when fully charged, with an integrated battery management system monitoring and regulating any difficulties that may emerge.

They said that the battery's charging capacity is computed within a safety-verified range, which means that even when the battery is full, there is still unused capacity.

Hyundai and Kia pointed out that ternary NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) batteries may theoretically hold up to 275 mAh of energy per gramme, but battery makers design them to utilise just 200 to 210 mAh per gramme.

The automakers stated that automobile manufacturers, too, set the 100% charge threshold while leaving some capacity unused while designing and manufacturing vehicles.

Central government officials have also advised that local governments' attempts to unilaterally prohibit EV admittance into parking facilities based on charging levels be reviewed more closely.

The government and governing party want to release a detailed safety strategy later this month targeted at preventing EV fires.