'Electric Vehicle Fire Prevention and Demand Expansion' Automotive Industry Forum
As the supply of electric vehicles has slowed due to apartment fires and other incidents, proposals have emerged to temporarily increase subsidies or reinstate special discounts on charging fees to reduce the burden on users.
On the 25th, consumer organizations such as the Korea Automobile Mobility Industry Association and the Electric Vehicle Users Association held a forum titled "Electric Vehicle Fire Prevention and Demand Expansion Strategy" to review the recent domestic and international electric vehicle markets.
Kwon Oh-chan, Chief Committee Member of the Korea Automobile Mobility Industry Association, pointed out the recent sluggishness in the electric vehicle market, stating, "Subsidies have been reduced every year, and with the suspension of charging fee discounts, maintenance costs have increased. Additionally, the inconvenience caused by charger malfunctions and heightened anxiety due to media exposure of electric vehicle fires have all contributed to this decline."
A mechanic is inspecting the Hyundai electric vehicle Ioniq 5. [Photo by Hyundai Motor Group] [Image source=Yonhap News]
To address this, he argued that in the short term, subsidies should be increased for three years, and some local governments' announced policies limiting charging amounts after fire accidents should be withdrawn. He also emphasized the need to improve charger accessibility by utilizing gas station sites within urban areas and increasing mid-speed chargers at places where people stay for 1 to 3 hours, such as supermarkets and theaters.
Furthermore, he advocated for establishing legal grounds or institutions to enhance charging station management and build an efficient management system. Charging inconvenience is considered the biggest obstacle in expanding electric vehicle adoption.
He also saw the need to increase investment incentives to create conditions for domestic electric vehicle production. Currently, investments to build electric vehicle production facilities are eligible for a 30% tax credit only until the end of this year due to sunset provisions. He suggested extending this period until 2030 or longer. Additionally, he proposed providing extra incentives when electric vehicle fire safety technologies are applied.
Cheongna Apartment Underground Parking Lot Fire Accident 2nd Joint Inspection [Photo by Yonhap News]
In the mid to long term, he recommended delaying the timing of automobile tax increases and introducing designated parking systems in multi-unit housing. When allocating resident-priority parking, priority should be given to electric vehicles, and incentives for domestically produced electric vehicles should be increased, considering factors such as domestic employment contributions.
Jin Hang, Director of the Electric Vehicle Users Association, said, "It is necessary to inspect the condition of batteries and Battery Management Systems (BMS), expand the application of user notification functions based on monitoring results, and notify relevant authorities if issues are not confirmed." He added, "Standards for installing fire safety equipment such as sprinklers should be strengthened." Dr. Na Yong-woon from the Fire Research Institute pointed out, "Early suppression is crucial in electric vehicle fires, so AI-based thermal imaging camera technology and advanced BMS that notify abnormal signs in electric vehicle batteries are important."
Regarding consumer liability issues related to electric vehicle fires, it was emphasized that regular vehicle maintenance is important. Attorney Kwon So-dam of the law firm Taepyungyang stated, "In the January 2023 case of a fire in the underground parking lot of an apartment in Yongin, Suwon District Court denied the vehicle owner's liability for fires beyond their control." She added, "Courts tend to limit the owner's responsibility to areas that can be realistically managed. If electric vehicle owners fulfill their usual maintenance duties such as inspections, repairs, and checks, the possibility of liability in case of fire is low."
Kang Nam-hoon, Chairman of the Automobile Mobility Industry Association, said, "It is important to secure trust based on facts so as not to hinder the growth of the electric vehicle industry," adding, "Electric vehicles are a core industry for a sustainable future, and for this industry to successfully establish itself, urgent and active government support is needed to overcome the recent chasm phenomenon early."
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