Summarised by Centrist
An unplugged Mercedes-Benz EV ignited in an underground car park in Incheon, South Korea, causing extensive damage and power outages.
Several office buildings are now reportedly banning EVs from parking and residents are being urged to exercise caution.
This is concerning in a country where most people live in high-density apartments. Many charging stations are located in underground garages and new apartments and large buildings are legally required to install EV chargers.
Besides evacuating 200 families, the fire resulted in almost two dozen hospitalizations and caused damage to more than 100 vehicles.
Due to the nature of lithium-ion batteries, EV fires are challenging to extinguish, though they occur less frequently than fires involving combustion engines.
Mercedes-Benz Korea released a statement committing to fully cooperate with authorities in investigating the fire’s cause.
Lawmakers are proposing revisions to South Korea’s Parking Lot Act to enhance safety and prevent future incidents.
A 2023 report from South Korea’s National Fire Agency stated that car fires, including both internal combustion engine vehicles and EVs, have increased annually since at least 2017.
Editor’s note: Read our coverage of EV charging safety concerns here, here, and here.
