Mercedes-Benz Owners Directly Seeking Battery Suppliers... Public and Private Sectors Collaborate on Fire Prevention Measures

Mercedes-Benz Same Model Recall Possible After Vehicle Defect Identified
Voluntary Decision Encouraged Due to Common Regulatory Perception of Disclosure Obligation
Battery Certification System and Other Issues May Be Discussed Tomorrow

The reason domestic electric vehicle (EV) operators have settled on disclosing battery manufacturers is due to increasing consumer demands for transparency regarding battery manufacturer information.

Although battery manufacturer information is sometimes revealed during new vehicle development or around the time of launch, there have been many criticisms that the scope and standards of disclosure vary by company, limiting information accessibility. Starting with domestic automakers and followed by some imported car companies revealing battery manufacturers, it is expected that more consumers will consider this an important factor when purchasing EVs in the future. There are also ongoing calls for practical measures that effectively help prevent fires beyond just disclosing battery manufacturers.

On the morning of the 8th, police, fire department, the National Forensic Service, Mercedes-Benz officials, and others conducted a second joint inspection of the electric vehicle that caught fire on the 1st in the underground parking lot of an apartment complex in Cheongna, at an industrial site in Seo-gu, Incheon.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Consumers Digging Up Battery Information Themselves

The controversy intensified after the Incheon EV fire incident because the battery installed was from a different manufacturer than initially reported. Mercedes-Benz has historically not disclosed suppliers for individual vehicle parts, and it continues to maintain a similar policy even after this fire incident. In particular, there are criticisms that the battery used in the model that caught fire was prematurely introduced to the market by a small to medium-sized Chinese manufacturer that has not yet been properly verified for safety and marketability in the global market.

Since Mercedes-Benz Korea refuses to disclose battery suppliers citing headquarters directives, domestic EV communities have been searching through module and pack information posted overseas, including from the German headquarters, to identify and share information about battery cell suppliers. One user said, "By compiling module numbers, it is 'estimated' that Parasis batteries are installed in some EQE and EQS models," adding, "I purchased a Mercedes-Benz EV knowing it contained Chinese batteries, but the response after the accident seems too passive."

Consumers who bought the same model are demanding recalls, inspections, and battery replacements, but authorities have yet to specify a timeline. A recall requires identifying a defect, which is currently not possible. A representative from the Korea Transportation Safety Authority said, "Recall procedures can only proceed after identifying vehicle defects based on joint inspection results," and added, "A recall overseas cannot be immediately applied domestically."

Real-Name System and Certification System... Authorities and Industry Collaborate

On the 13th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will convene domestic EV operators and related agencies to discuss measures against EV fires. As part of a comprehensive plan following the Incheon EV fire incident, a meeting of related ministries led by the Ministry of Environment was held on the 12th, and this meeting will gather various opinions in connection with that. A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport official said, "We plan to carefully listen to opinions on whether there are any overlooked areas in the process of revising regulations after the EV fire incident and how consumers and companies view the situation." An industry representative attending the meeting said, "We understand that various recently proposed measures, including a battery real-name system, will be discussed."

Many EV models currently on the market have disclosed battery cell suppliers during the process of revealing vehicle specifications before or after launch. However, institutionalizing or mandating this by vehicle management authorities is another matter. Overseas automakers may perceive this as a trade barrier blocking entry into the Korean market. While traceability is possible for all parts used in vehicles for safety reasons, manufacturers do not disclose the maker of each individual part.

In meetings between authorities and EV operators, discussions are expected to include the currently prepared battery certification system, plans to advance battery management systems (BMS), and proposals to provide additional subsidies when safety information is provided during next year’s EV government subsidy calculations. The battery certification system, which requires basic performance certification from performance testing agencies such as the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, is scheduled to be introduced in February next year. There is also a possibility of strengthening fire-related standards as part of the preliminary test items.

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