On August 6, a fire broke out in an electric vehicle parked on the first floor of a parking tower in Geumsan County. (Image courtesy of Geumsan Fire Station)
SEOSAN, Aug. 15 (Korea Bizwire) – In the wake of recent electric vehicle (EV) fires, local governments across South Korea’s South Chungcheong Province are rushing to implement safety measures, marking a shift from their previous focus on promoting EV adoption through subsidies.
The city of Seosan is at the forefront of these efforts. City officials said on August 14 that they were considering offering subsidies as early as next year to relocate EV charging facilities from underground parking lots to above-ground locations in apartment complexes.
The city is currently surveying the number of underground EV charging stations and assessing the demand for relocation.
This move comes in response to growing concerns about the safety of EVs, particularly when charging in enclosed spaces.
The government of South Chungcheong Province is also taking action, proposing to amend apartment management regulations to limit EV charging to 90% or less in underground parking lots.
They are also recommending the relocation of charging stations to above-ground locations and considering providing fire suppression equipment based on inspection results.
A comprehensive safety inspection of 2,862 EV charging facilities in underground parking lots and parking towers is scheduled for this month.
The inspection, involving fire and construction departments along with charging station operators, will examine sprinkler systems, evacuation facilities, and the distance from potential hazards such as electrical rooms.
These safety measures have gained urgency following recent EV fire incidents. On August 6, a fire broke out in an electric vehicle parked on the first floor of a parking tower in Geumsan County.
The vehicle, a 2022 model, had been plugged into a charger the previous day, according to the owner’s statement. The owner, who was also the first to report the fire, noticed smoke coming from the rear underside of the vehicle while driving.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
