Government Announces 'Electric Vehicle Fire Safety Management Measures'
Aiming to Alleviate Public Anxiety and Ensure EV Safety
Three-Phase 'Battery Risk Standard' to be Established Within the Year
Mandatory Use of Fire-Resistant Materials in Underground Parking Lots
The government will mandate battery manufacturers to provide information on manufacturing technology and key raw materials to reduce concerns about electric vehicle (EV) fires. A battery risk standard will be established within the year, and a pilot project will be promoted to automatically notify fire authorities if a vehicle reaches a risk stage. Major manufacturers such as Hyundai Motor Company and Kia will promote free installation of battery management system (BMS) safety features on older EVs that lack them.
On the 6th, the government officially announced the "Electric Vehicle Fire Safety Management Measures" at the National Policy Issues Ministerial Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. This measure aims to alleviate public anxiety and ensure EV safety following increased fire concerns related to EVs and charging facilities, such as the fire in the underground parking lot of an apartment complex in Incheon in August.
Bang Gi-seon, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination (fourth from the left), is announcing the 'Electric Vehicle Fire Safety Management Measures' on the 6th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@
Increasing Battery Information Disclosure and Expanding BMS Distribution
The government will strengthen management systems throughout the entire process of EV production and operation. Battery information disclosure, which was previously only recommended, will be made mandatory so that the public can access key information. Not only battery manufacturers but also manufacturing technologies and key raw materials, including cathode materials, will be fully disclosed. The EV battery certification system, originally scheduled for implementation in February next year, will be advanced to October for a pilot project.
Battery inspection items during regular EV inspections will be significantly expanded. Detailed checks will be conducted on cell voltage, battery temperature, charging status, and other conditions. Additionally, inspection infrastructure such as EV battery diagnostic devices will be rapidly expanded at both Korea Transportation Safety Authority inspection centers and private inspection centers. The battery history management system will be implemented without delay in February next year.
To ensure battery safety, BMS functions will be improved. The BMS monitors and alerts the EV battery status in real time. The government will establish a "battery risk standard" within the year, categorizing risk into three levels: caution, warning, and danger. Starting from the first half of next year, a pilot project will be conducted where, with the vehicle owner's consent to information provision, the vehicle will automatically notify fire authorities if it reaches a risk stage.
Major manufacturers such as Hyundai Motor Company and Kia will promote free installation of BMS safety functions on older EVs that lack them. Vehicles already equipped will receive free performance updates. The free provision period for BMS connection and notification services will be extended from 5 to 10 years to allow drivers to immediately recognize battery abnormal signs. The number of insurance companies offering discounts on car insurance related to BMS services will increase from 8 to 12.
To strengthen business operator responsibility, liability insurance enrollment for EV manufacturers and charging operators will be expanded. From next year, automakers who have not subscribed to product liability insurance will not be eligible for EV subsidies. Measures to mandate product liability insurance enrollment will also be pursued. Charging operators will be required to subscribe to no-fault liability insurance to enable damage relief in case of fire.
To prevent fires, the distribution of smart control chargers that regulate charging amounts will be increased. 20,000 units are scheduled for distribution this year and 71,000 units next year. Existing slow chargers will be gradually replaced with smart control chargers. The distribution of fast chargers with smart control functions will be expanded at community hubs.
Legislation on Fire-Resistant Materials in Underground Parking Lots
All new buildings’ underground parking lots will be required to install "wet sprinklers" that detect and activate quickly in case of fire. The government will also review strengthening fire detector installation standards and expanding mandatory installation targets for new buildings. Illegal acts such as arbitrarily blocking or shutting down fire facilities like sprinklers will be strictly punished.
To prevent fire spread in underground parking lots, fire-resistant materials will be applied to interior walls, ceilings, and pillars. To this end, the government plans to amend the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act by the first half of next year. Considering public opinion, the mandatory implementation period for expanding EV parking spaces and charging facilities (2%), originally scheduled for January next year, will be postponed by one year through cooperation with local governments.
To enable smooth fire suppression by fire authorities during a fire, mobile water tanks and spraying devices for EV fire suppression equipment will be expanded and distributed to all 240 fire stations nationwide by next year. Through public-private collaboration, unmanned small fire trucks capable of entering underground parking lots using military technology will be developed within this year and distributed next year. Regulations will also be amended to require mandatory provision of information such as the location and blueprints of EV charging facilities to fire stations.
In the mid to long term, to reduce fire risks caused by internal battery short circuits, additives to improve separator stability and battery pack fire suppression technologies will be developed. Development of "all-solid-state batteries," which replace the electrolyte between the battery’s cathode and anode from liquid to solid, will continue. Advanced BMS fire diagnosis and control performance will also be pursued. Changes to EV charging facility locations will undergo additional review after collecting opinions through various channels.
The government stated, "We will swiftly promote related legal and institutional improvements to ensure this measure is implemented without delay," and added, "We plan to closely cooperate with local governments and the industry." It further explained, "Issues requiring additional review will be discussed and improvement tasks continuously identified by the 'Underground Parking Lot EV Fire Safety Task Force (TF),' which includes the Fire Agency and related ministries, by the end of the year."
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