South Korea is gearing up to launch a new EV battery certification program three months early after a fiery Mercedes-Benz incident sparked alarm. 🔥 The August 1 blaze, fueled by Farasis Energy batteries, torched 140 vehicles and forced apartment evacuations—taking firefighters eight grueling hours to control.
🚨 What's changing: Starting in October, automakers must disclose battery suppliers for all EVs sold in the ROK. Some companies are already volunteering this info, but critics argue the move is more about transparency theater than real safety fixes.
''Battery fires are like TikTok trends—they spread fast and burn twice as long,'' quipped fire safety expert Kim Jun-ho. 🔥 Unlike gas car fires, EV blazes can reignite for days due to chemical reactions in lithium-ion batteries.
While LG and Samsung SDI (major ROK battery makers) aren't pushing back, experts warn: Disclosure ≠ safety. With limited data on which brands flare up most, the new rules might just be the first pit stop in a longer race.
