The Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters said on the 16th that it conducted experiments analyzing the causes of electric two-wheeler battery fires, shared the results with related agencies, and prompted recalls for more than 6,000 units.
The Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters on Oct. 1 last year conducted a full-scale fire experiment simulating an indoor charging environment at an apartment slated for reconstruction in Nowon District to highlight the fire risks of lithium-ion batteries in electric two-wheelers.
Setting combustible conditions similar to an actual household living environment and installing a lithium-ion battery on the evacuation route, the experiment found that initial smoke appeared about nine minutes after power was supplied, followed by sparks and explosions, with the lower part of the room exceeding 100 degrees.
The Korea Automobile Testing and Research Institute, which received the data provided by the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, tested battery performance based on it and examined the need to strengthen safety management standards. It also received from the manufacturer the configuration of the electric two-wheeler battery and the logic of the battery management system (BMS) to check for defects.
As a result, recalls were finalized for 3,606 units from Company A and 2,538 units from Company B, with Company A implementing the recall starting on the 26th of last month. Company B plans to begin recalls on Sept. 1.
The Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters asked owners to check on the Automobile Recall Center website by searching their vehicle registration number or vehicle identification number to see whether their electric two-wheeler is subject to a recall and to take the necessary measures.
Hong Young-geun, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, "Because electric two-wheeler battery fires can cause major casualties in a short time due to explosive combustion and the spread of toxic gases, we ask that you strictly follow safety rules at all times."