South Korea Introduces Stricter Battery Disclosure Rules for Electric Vehicles
In a significant move to enhance consumer transparency and safety, South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on Sunday that it will mandate the disclosure of key battery details for electric vehicles (EVs). Proposed legal revisions will expand the information available to buyers from six to ten items, including the battery manufacturer, country of origin, product name, and manufacturing date.
Enhanced Consumer Information and Safety Measures
Currently, EV buyers in South Korea only have access to functional details such as battery capacity and rated voltage. The new regulations aim to provide a more comprehensive view of battery provenance and quality. The ministry stated that these measures are designed to improve consumer awareness and support EV adoption by strengthening confidence in battery safety.
To enforce compliance, the ministry plans to increase fines for carmakers and sellers that fail to disclose the required information. Penalties could reach up to 10 million won (approximately US$6,600), a substantial hike intended to deter non-disclosure.
Stricter Safety Certification and Revocation Standards
Alongside the disclosure requirements, the ministry has established new standards for revoking safety certifications. These rules target batteries with recurring defects:
- Certification will be revoked if a battery with design or manufacturing defects causes a fire or damage on two occasions.
- For defects that meet technical standards but still pose safety risks, revocation will follow three such cases within two years.
- A general standard has been set to revoke certifications if the same defect occurs two to four times within two years, depending on severity.
These measures are part of broader efforts to ensure EV safety and reliability, addressing concerns over battery-related incidents.
Government Response to Recent Fire Incident
In a related development, President Lee Jae Myung announced that the government will investigate a fire at a car parts plant in Daejeon. The fire, which occurred on Friday, resulted in 14 fatalities and 60 injuries, including two firefighters. The president emphasized the need to prepare measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, highlighting the government's commitment to industrial safety.
The ministry's proposed amendments, including changes to enforcement rules of the Motor Vehicle Management Act, are expected to undergo further review before implementation. This initiative reflects South Korea's proactive approach to regulating the rapidly growing EV market, balancing innovation with consumer protection and safety.
