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EV battery fire in South Korea spurs heated response

But emerging tech innovations, including improved battery chemistries, may help reduce risks.
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Illustration: Anna Kim, Photo: Getty Images

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An EV battery fire in South Korea earlier this month prompted an apology from an automaker, a nationwide furor, and strategizing by government officials to prevent similar occurrences.

At issue is a fire that started in an unplugged Mercedes-Benz EQE that was parked in an underground garage in the city of Incheon. The blaze reportedly took more than eight hours to put out, forced hundreds of building residents to seek emergency shelter, and caused some smoke-related injuries.

The South Korean government reportedly plans to unveil a new safety plan next month. One of the proposals under consideration is a requirement for automakers to disclose their battery suppliers, which companies typically don’t reveal.

In a statement provided by spokesperson Andrew Brudnicki, Mercedez-Benz Korea said it takes the matter “very seriously” and is cooperating with the investigation into the fire’s cause. Farasis Energy, the vehicle’s battery supplier, didn’t immediately respond to Tech Brew’s request for comment.

It’s the latest in a string of high-profile battery fires. Nearly two dozen people were killed in a fire at a South Korean lithium battery plant earlier this year. And General Motors in 2021 recalled tens of thousands of Chevy Bolts in the US due to battery fire risk.

Battery fires are less common than fires in ICE vehicles—but they have unique challenges. And public perception of safety risks is an important consideration at a time when EV adoption is slowing.

Sam Abuelsamid, principal research analyst at Guidehouse Insights, told Tech Brew that the chemical properties of EV batteries explain why these fires are difficult to extinguish.

“Even if you…cover it with water or foam, which you would normally do to starve the fire of oxygen, it’s generating its own oxygen internally,” he said. “That’s what causes these types of batteries to get into these ferocious fires that are extremely difficult to extinguish.”

Battery fires also burn hotter, generally at about 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to 1,500 degrees for a gas-powered vehicle, according to Clemson University researchers.

But emerging technologies can help reduce these risks. There are specialized fire extinguishers, for example, and lithium blankets for fire suppression. And the EV sector is developing less-risky chemistries, such as lithium iron phosphate and sodium-ion batteries.

“This is not necessarily a cause for panic,” Abuelsamid said. “Battery manufacturers and automakers are continuing to work on improved battery designs, battery chemistries that are less susceptible to this problem.”

Keep up with the innovative tech transforming business

Tech Brew keeps business leaders up-to-date on the latest innovations, automation advances, policy shifts, and more, so they can make informed decisions about tech.