Mercedes-Benz Korea releases battery brand info amid EV fire scare

Mercedes-Benz Korea Ltd. on Tuesday released the brand information of its electric vehicle models sold in the country amid growing calls for EV brand transparency in the country following a massive fire caused by an electric car this month. The latest fear surrounding EVs started after a spontaneous fire that began in a parked Mercedes-Benz EV wiped out an entire underground parking garage inside an apartment complex in Incheon, 27 kilometers west of Seoul, while damaging over 100 cars. Mercedes-Benz Korea disclosed the battery supplier for eight of its electric vehicle models on its website. Of its EQE electric line, only the 300 model was equipped with batteries from China's CATL. Other trims -- the 350+, AMG 53 4MATIC+ and 350 4MATIC -- were equipped with batteries from Farasis Energy, the battery supplier in the Mercedes model that caused the fire. The EQS 350, the top-tier EV sedan model, also used batteries from Farasis, while other trims of the EQS had CATL batteries. Mercedes-Benz Korea said al l of its EV battery packs are produced by its wholly owned subsidiary. The company said it decided to disclose information about the battery manufacturers after discussions with its headquarters, relevant authorities and the transport ministry. Source: Yonhap News Agency