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Concerns over the safety of electric vehicles (EVs) have surged in South Korea following a dramatic incident involving a Mercedes-Benz EQE. The electric sedan exploded in an underground parking lot in Incheon, causing a significant fire that resulted in 21 hospitalizations and extensive property damage.
The explosion occurred at approximately 6:15 a.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024. CCTV footage shows the parked vehicle emitting smoke before suddenly bursting into flames. The fire quickly spread, damaging around 70 nearby vehicles and filling the apartment complex with thick black smoke. Firefighters took nearly eight hours to fully extinguish the blaze, highlighting the challenges of dealing with EV fires.
Among the injured were 20 residents and one firefighter, all of whom suffered from smoke inhalation. The affected individuals included seven children under the age of ten. The incident prompted the evacuation of 209 residents, with many rescued from stairwells and balconies by emergency responders.
The Mercedes EQE involved in the explosion had been idle and not charging for nearly three days, adding to the mystery of the cause. Mercedes-Benz Korea expressed deep regret over the incident and pledged full cooperation with local authorities to determine the root cause of the fire. The vehicle’s battery, sourced from the Chinese company CATL, is under scrutiny as part of the investigation.
This incident has intensified scrutiny of EV safety, particularly the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. Although EV fires are less frequent than those in internal combustion engine vehicles, they present unique challenges due to the potential for thermal runaway—a situation where the battery continues to generate heat and can reignite even after the initial fire is extinguished.