As 'electric vehicle phobia' is growing due to an electric car fire that occurred in an apartment parking lot in Incheon, Professor Moon Hak-hoon of the Future Electric Vehicle Department at Osan University warned that we cannot be assured of safety from fire accidents until solid-state batteries are developed. Therefore, he recommended setting a limit to prevent the charge rate from reaching 100% to help prevent fire accidents.
On the 12th, Professor Moon said on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "electric vehicles have been rapidly distributed in Korea due to carbon neutrality, but electric vehicles seem to need more time."
On the 8th, amid a series of electric vehicle fires raising concerns about electric vehicle safety, a notice prohibiting electric vehicles from entering was posted at the entrance of an underground parking lot in Incheon. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
He explained, "Inside lithium-ion batteries, there is a liquid called electrolyte, and there is a possibility of internal short circuits caused by chemical reactions," adding, "Only by switching to solid-state batteries can stability be achieved." He continued, "Some battery manufacturers say that solid-state battery production will be possible around next year, and if that happens, current problems might be resolved."
Regarding the introduction of a certification system that discloses information such as battery manufacturers to prevent accidents, he pointed out, "Performance verification is more important than confirming the battery manufacturer," and "Currently, there is no battery performance certification system, so consumers cannot know." Professor Moon said, "It would be more effective to inform customers about degradation levels, charge rates, temperature, and pressure during vehicle inspections, just like regular check-ups every two years."
As methods to prevent accidents on a personal level, he mentioned setting charge rate limits and driving slowly. Professor Moon urged, "If the charge rate is set to 80% or 90% in the car, anxiety can be alleviated," and "Since the electric vehicle battery is located under the vehicle, it is good to drive slowly when going over bumps." This is because prolonged charging and overcharging the battery can increase the risk of fire.
Meanwhile, on the 1st, a fire broke out due to a Mercedes-Benz electric car explosion in an underground parking lot of an apartment in Seo-gu, Incheon. As a result of this accident, 23 apartment residents were injured, and 72 vehicles parked underground were completely burned.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
