General Motors Korea plans to launch its alert service soon through the OnStar remote control app, with the Cadillac Lyriq likely to be the first model equipped with this feature. (Image courtesy of GM Korea)
SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – In the wake of a devastating electric vehicle (EV) fire in Incheon, South Korean automakers and consumers are turning their attention to early warning systems designed to detect battery abnormalities.
These systems are being hailed as a practical fire prevention measure, capable of alerting drivers to potential issues before they escalate into dangerous situations.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport recently surveyed automobile manufacturers and importers to assess the availability of customer notification services for battery anomalies.
In response, companies already equipped with such systems are expanding their services, while others are considering the implementation of these systems.
According to industry sources, Hyundai Motor Group has extended its battery anomaly alert service to Kia vehicles as of August 21, a feature previously available only to Hyundai and Genesis models since late 2020.
The system was initially developed following a series of Kona EV fires attributed to battery management system (BMS) errors.
Owners of Hyundai, Genesis, and now Kia electric vehicles can receive these alerts by subscribing to connected car services such as Bluelink or Kia Connect.
When the BMS detects irregularities, drivers receive text message notifications. In more severe cases, the company will contact customers by phone.
The monitoring system tracks various parameters including voltage deviation, insulation resistance, current and voltage changes, temperature, and over/under voltage. Newer models also include detection for instantaneous and micro short circuits.
Mercedes-Benz has implemented a similar system based on its BMS, which sends alerts if anomalies are detected during driving, charging, or parking. Customers can receive notifications through the Mercedes me app after agreeing to personal data and location information terms.
BMW offers a comprehensive service called Proactive Care, which categorizes vehicle status alerts into four levels of severity. Less urgent issues are communicated via app, email, or vehicle display, while critical situations prompt immediate phone calls to customers.
Tesla, a pioneer in the EV market, also has a battery anomaly detection system in place. The company explicitly states in its service agreement that it collects data on battery charging history, efficiency, and condition.
General Motors Korea plans to launch its alert service soon through the OnStar remote control app, with the Cadillac Lyriq likely to be the first model equipped with this feature.
Other manufacturers, such as Polestar Korea and KG Mobility, are actively considering the implementation of similar systems in response to the growing emphasis on EV safety.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
