How a huge fire sparked by a Mercedes-Benz EV adds to safety concerns dogging industry
Recent incidents involving fires in electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benzand Kia have heightened concerns for the automotive industry, which was preparing to launch new electric models aimed at bridging the EV adoption gap.
The latest issue began last Thursday when a Mercedes-Benz EQE caught fire in an underground parking garage of an apartment complex in Incheon, just 27 kilometers west of Seoul.
The fire gutted the facility, completely ravaging around 40 nearby vehicles and partly damaging some 100 additional cars. Over 800 residents were staying in temporary shelters due to a disruption in the water and power supply.
This incident has exacerbated fears among consumers about the safety of electric vehicles, which are touted as advanced, cutting-edge cars for the future.
While official investigations into the fires are pending, the automotive industry is anxious about the potential impact on consumer confidence.
However, police confirmed that no external shock was inflicted on the vehicle while it was parked for three days before it burst into flames. Security camera footage showed smoke billowing from the Mercedes before it exploded.
The Yonhap news agency reports that the industry is facing increased scrutiny and growing consumer doubts about the safety of electric vehicles, just as it is set to roll out ambitious new models.
On Tuesday, another fire incident was reported involving an EV6 model by South Korean automaker Kia in Geumsan County, South Chungcheong Province.
The fire apparently began at the lower part of the EV6, which had a charger plugged in at the time, where the battery is located. It was extinguished in about 90 minutes with no additional damage. The police plan to send the vehicle to Kia for a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire.
The Mercedes was found to have a battery supplied by Chinese firm Farasis Energy, while the EV6 was reportedly made by South Korean firm SK On Co.
With a series of new launches scheduled from the second half of this year through next year, concerns remain within the industry that consumers may avoid purchasing electric vehicles.
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