Ministry of Land, Hyundai Motor, LG Energy Solution, and 3 Others Sign MOU for Electric Vehicle Battery Certification Pilot Project

Introduction of Pilot Project for Electric Vehicle Battery Certification System This Month
5 Participants Including Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) is launching a pilot project for the electric vehicle battery certification system in collaboration with industry players such as Hyundai Motor Company and LG Energy Solution. This measure aims to ensure the smooth implementation of the battery certification system scheduled for February next year.

On the 15th, MOLIT announced that it will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with five participating companies, including the Korea Transportation Safety Authority's Automotive Safety Research Institute, Hyundai Motor Company, and LG Energy Solution, to carry out this pilot project.

This project is initiated to ensure the stable establishment of the battery certification system to be implemented in February next year. It is part of the 'Electric Vehicle Fire Safety Measures' announced on the 6th of last month following an electric vehicle fire accident in an underground parking lot of an apartment complex in Incheon.

The battery certification system is a scheme where the government directly certifies battery safety. Previously, manufacturers, not the government, confirmed whether vehicles were produced according to safety standards through a self-certification system.

Companies participating in the pilot project will receive battery safety certification from MOLIT starting this month. This certification is conducted through battery safety testing. The tests are carried out by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority's Automotive Safety Research Institute, an agency authorized to conduct performance tests under the Automobile Management Act, inspecting 12 items including combustion tests and overheating prevention tests.

Baek Won-guk, the 2nd Vice Minister of MOLIT, stated, "The battery certification system will serve as an opportunity to strengthen electric vehicle safety," adding, "Through this pilot project, we will ensure the early establishment of the battery certification system so that the public can use electric vehicles with confidence."