An electric vehicle at a charging station. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Korea Bizwire) – The results of a recent survey conducted by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KTSA) revealed that 72.9 percent of 225 electric vehicle (EV) drivers, who visited service centers between July 4 and October 12 during the ‘Special Safety Inspection for Electric Vehicles,’ would recommend purchasing an EV to their friends. On the flip side, 9.3 percent would not recommend it, while 17.8 percent remained neutral.
Among the reasons for recommending an EV, both “protecting the environment” and “saving money on vehicle price and maintenance” were most common at 31.6 percent each. Other contributing factors included “performance and design” (14.2 percent) and “the improving range of electric vehicles” (8 percent).
For those not recommending EVs, the primary concern, cited by 35.7 percent, was the “lack of charging infrastructure.” This was followed by worries about “lack of safety and reliability” (18 percent) and the “unaffordability of the vehicle” (17.1 percent).
When addressing concerns, EV drivers expressed apprehension about vehicle fires, particularly after a collision (29.3 percent) and during charging (21.1 percent). Additional worries included “sudden unintended acceleration” (16.7 percent), “doors not opening after a collision” (13.2 percent), and “costly maintenance and lack of mechanics” (12.6 percent).
In response to these findings, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) emphasized the importance of safe EV usage, advising drivers to be cautious as an intense impact on the lower battery pack could lead to accidents such as fires.
KEPCO recommended using designated charging outlets without extensions when using mobile chargers to prevent power outages and fires. While specific recommendations may vary by vehicle, keeping the battery state of charge (SOC) between 30 and 90 percent for daily use and 40 and 60 percent for long-term parking is generally advisable.
In case of a high-voltage battery fire, drivers are urged to evacuate to a safe location and call 911 rather than attempting to extinguish the fire themselves. Additionally, KEPCO highlighted the importance of understanding how to open the vehicle’s doors under different circumstances, especially since electric vehicle door handles are often flush-mounted and may require specific actions in the event of an accident.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
