SEOUL—In response to a major fire incident involving one of its electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Korea Ltd. has publicly disclosed the battery suppliers for its electric vehicle (EV) lineup. This move comes amid heightened scrutiny over EV safety and growing demands for transparency in the automotive industry.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the disclosure was made following discussions with Mercedes-Benz headquarters, various authorities, and the transport ministry. The incident that triggered this response occurred earlier this month when a Mercedes-Benz EV caught fire while parked in an underground garage in Incheon, 27 kilometers west of Seoul. The fire led to extensive damage, destroying the garage and over 100 other vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz Korea revealed that among its EQE electric line, only the EQE 300 model features batteries from CATL, a major Chinese battery manufacturer. Other versions, such as the EQE 350+, AMG 53 4MATIC+, and the 350 4MATIC, use batteries from Farasis Energy. Notably, it was a battery from Farasis that was in the model responsible for the devastating fire. The top-tier EQS 350 sedan and other trims of the EQS series also employ batteries from Farasis, with some models using CATL batteries.
The company emphasized that all its EV battery packs are produced by a wholly-owned subsidiary, ensuring a controlled production environment. This announcement marks a significant step towards addressing consumer concerns about the safety of electric vehicles and the transparency of their manufacturing processes.