The automakers will also be advised to offer free checkup services to EV owners.
The Office for Government Policy Coordination under the Prime Minister’s Secretariat held a meeting on Tuesday with related ministries to discuss countermeasures to growing concerns over EV fires. Executives from major automakers were also invited to share their opinions.
“The latest measure should be implemented at the earliest possible moment considering that it is directly related to people’s safety in their daily lives,” said Bang Ki-sun, government policy coordination minister, during the meeting. “Countermeasures will be set in accordance with public expectations.”
A thorough set of measures will be announced within September, the governmental body said.
The recommendation comes in the wake of an underground parking garage fire at an apartment complex in Incheon on Aug. 1 caused by an exploding Mercedes EQE EV, which sent 23 people to hospitals. The incident damaged as many as 880 vehicles parked in the garage and inflicted electricity and water supply outages on nearly 500 households for a week.
![The burnt Mercedes EQE sedan is transferred for investigation in Incheon. The EV explosion injured 23 people and damaged around 880 vehicles in the parking garage. Some 500 households have suffered from electricity outrages for a week. [YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2024/08/13/95b88818-24a1-4b17-9dfe-b1c06b2787bb.jpg)
BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]
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