SEOUL — In a move to address rising consumer safety concerns, South Korean car manufacturers are beginning to reveal detailed information about the battery brands used in their electric vehicles (EVs). This decision follows a series of incidents, including a notable fire in August that destroyed a parking garage in Incheon after originating from a parked Mercedes-Benz EV, escalating public demand for transparency.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the company has listed the battery suppliers for 13 of its EV models on its website, responding to heightened scrutiny after the fire. All models, except the Kona Electric which uses CATL battery cells from China, are equipped with batteries from South Korea's LG Energy Solution Ltd. or SK On Co. Hyundai has noted that it has consistently disclosed such information with each new EV model introduction and upon customer inquiries. Following Hyundai's lead, Kia Corp. also updated its website with battery information for its EVs, including popular models like the EV3, EV6, and EV9, mainly featuring LG and SK On batteries, though some newer and compact models employ CATL batteries.
Furthering this trend, KG Mobility Corp. and several imported car companies are contemplating similar disclosures. Discussions are expected to continue at an upcoming EV safety inspection meeting hosted by the transport ministry, where these companies will formalize their stance on battery information transparency. However, challenges remain for imported car brands, which face hurdles in coordinating disclosures with their international headquarters, often restricted by global policies on supplier confidentiality.
An industry insider explained the complexity of the situation, noting that while local subsidiaries are eager to address the mounting concerns over EV fires in South Korea, decisions on disclosing parts suppliers typically require approval from global headquarters, complicating immediate transparency efforts.