Renault Samsung and LG Energy Solution Jointly Investigate SM3 Electric Vehicle Fire

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] To determine the cause of the recent fire involving the SM3 electric vehicle, the manufacturer Renault Samsung Motors and the battery maker LG Energy Solution are conducting a joint investigation.

According to industry sources on the 2nd, fire authorities have launched a joint investigation with Renault Samsung Motors and LG Energy Solution to identify the cause of the SM3 electric vehicle fire that occurred last month. Previously, on the 24th of last month, a fire broke out in a Renault Samsung SM3 electric vehicle that had been charging overnight in the underground parking lot of an apartment in Hoam-dong, Chungju-si, Chungbuk Province, and firefighting efforts lasted for about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

This is the second fire involving the SM3 electric vehicle, following one in August. The cause of the first fire was determined to be wiring ignition rather than a battery issue. Immediately after this recent fire, the fire station conducted an initial inspection, and Renault Samsung Motors and LG Energy Solution have begun an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, according to a Renault Samsung Motors representative. The representative stated, "Each company is conducting a joint investigation to find the exact cause of the fire, but the cause has not yet been identified."

Industry insiders are paying close attention to the possibility of a battery issue caused by overcharging, given that the fire occurred during charging.

However, since there have been no reports of battery-related fires from the launch of the SM3 electric vehicle in 2013 until its discontinuation at the end of last year, the industry views the possibility of a recall as low.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.