Customers purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) will soon have access to crucial battery details, including the manufacturer and country of origin, as per the transport ministry’s announcement. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport revealed plans to enhance customer information by expanding the available EV battery-related data from six to 10 items. New information to be disclosed includes the battery’s manufacturer, country of origin, product name, and manufacturing date.
The current information accessible to customers is limited to the battery’s functional aspects, such as capacity and rated voltage. Additionally, the ministry intends to increase penalties for carmakers and sellers who fail to provide necessary battery information, with fines potentially reaching up to 10 million won (US$6,600). Safety certifications may also be revoked if a battery exhibits design or manufacturing defects that do not meet safety standards and result in fire or damage on multiple occasions.
President Lee Jae Myung has pledged a thorough investigation into a recent large-scale fire at a car parts plant in Daejeon city, emphasizing the need for preventive measures against similar incidents. The fire, which occurred on a Friday afternoon, tragically claimed 14 lives and left 60 others injured, including two firefighters. The transport ministry anticipates that these new regulations will enhance customers’ awareness and confidence in EV batteries, potentially boosting EV sales.
