Will our Kum Lan KumGong PAP-Gov follow suit or continue to blindly install EV chargers island-wide just to meet their ranjiao 'carbon-neutral' EV KPI?
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/seoul-moves-to-ban-overcharged-evs-from-underground-parking
The policy comes a week after an Incheon incident where a Mercedes-Benz EV caught fire in an underground carpark. PHOTO: YONHAP
Updated
Aug 10, 2024, 07:07 PM
SEOUL - The Seoul metropolitan government announced on Aug 9 new measures to prevent fires caused by overcharging electric vehicles, including banning EVs with over 90 per cent battery levels from entering underground parking in residential buildings.
The municipal government explained that electric vehicle fires can result from various factors, including external impacts and battery defects, with excessive charging also recognised as a significant cause.
The policy comes a week after an incident in Incheon where a Mercedes-Benz EV caught fire in an underground carpark, destroying 140 vehicles and damaging the apartment building’s systems. The accident on Aug 1 sparked widespread fear of EVs as fire hazards, prompting some apartment managers to ban them from underground parking entirely.
The Seoul city government said it would update its Guideline for Apartment Management Rules by the end of September, introducing a new clause recommending a maximum EV charging limit of 90 per cent or less in underground carparks.
Once the city’s regulations are set, apartments can reference the clause to tailor charging limits to residents’ needs.
Mayors and provincial governors are developing the Guidelines for Apartment Management Rules as a regional standard for residential complexes.
“There is no basis (for the city government) to force or place limitations on apartment complexes that do not reflect the newly added clause, but they could be left at a disadvantage, such as being excluded from incentives or support programmes funded by the city in the future,” Mr Yeo Jang-kwon, the head of the city government’s Climate and Environment Headquarters, said during the briefing on Aug 9.
“Given the reality that most are worried about EV fires in underground parking lots, the city government anticipates there will be voluntary participation (to implement the maximum charge rate),” added Mr Yeo.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has proposed two methods to limit EV charging: Either manufacturers set a safety margin or owners adjust the target charge rate.
Although owners can manually set the rate to 90 per cent, verifying compliance is challenging.
To solve this, Seoul plans to require manufacturers to increase the safety margin of 3 to 5 per cent up to 10 per cent upon request. Vehicles with this adjustment would receive a so-called “charge limit certificate”, granting access to underground parking.
Seoul has presented this plan to domestic EV manufacturers, who are currently assessing its feasibility. Mr Yeo noted that the process is complex and timelines are uncertain, emphasising the need for manufacturer cooperation.
The Seoul metropolitan government announced that starting in September, it will cap the maximum charging rate of city-operated EV fast chargers in public parking spaces at 80 per cent.
The limit will also be extended to privately operated fast chargers installed across Seoul later.
Emergency fire safety inspections will also be conducted for EV charging facilities installed in apartment parking spaces.
The Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters will take the lead in inspecting close to 400 apartment complexes in Seoul with EV chargers by the end of September to ensure they have proper facilities such as sprinklers, and to note any necessary improvements.
By October, the city will also revise its regulations to require new buildings built after that month to install safety facilities that can respond quickly to fires caused by EVs.
According to data from the National Fire Agency presented by the city government during the Aug 9 briefing, 187 fires caused by EVs have occurred from 2018 until June 2024. Out of the 187 fires, 16 happened in Seoul. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/e...arparks-in-seoul-ban-evs-after-explosion-case
Some residential underground carparks in Seoul ban EVs after explosion case
Police move a burnt electric car from the underground carpark of an apartment building after completing their probe in Incheon. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/seoul-moves-to-ban-overcharged-evs-from-underground-parking
Seoul moves to ban overcharged EVs from underground parking
The policy comes a week after an Incheon incident where a Mercedes-Benz EV caught fire in an underground carpark. PHOTO: YONHAP
Updated
Aug 10, 2024, 07:07 PM
SEOUL - The Seoul metropolitan government announced on Aug 9 new measures to prevent fires caused by overcharging electric vehicles, including banning EVs with over 90 per cent battery levels from entering underground parking in residential buildings.
The municipal government explained that electric vehicle fires can result from various factors, including external impacts and battery defects, with excessive charging also recognised as a significant cause.
The policy comes a week after an incident in Incheon where a Mercedes-Benz EV caught fire in an underground carpark, destroying 140 vehicles and damaging the apartment building’s systems. The accident on Aug 1 sparked widespread fear of EVs as fire hazards, prompting some apartment managers to ban them from underground parking entirely.
The Seoul city government said it would update its Guideline for Apartment Management Rules by the end of September, introducing a new clause recommending a maximum EV charging limit of 90 per cent or less in underground carparks.
Once the city’s regulations are set, apartments can reference the clause to tailor charging limits to residents’ needs.
Mayors and provincial governors are developing the Guidelines for Apartment Management Rules as a regional standard for residential complexes.
“There is no basis (for the city government) to force or place limitations on apartment complexes that do not reflect the newly added clause, but they could be left at a disadvantage, such as being excluded from incentives or support programmes funded by the city in the future,” Mr Yeo Jang-kwon, the head of the city government’s Climate and Environment Headquarters, said during the briefing on Aug 9.
“Given the reality that most are worried about EV fires in underground parking lots, the city government anticipates there will be voluntary participation (to implement the maximum charge rate),” added Mr Yeo.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has proposed two methods to limit EV charging: Either manufacturers set a safety margin or owners adjust the target charge rate.
Although owners can manually set the rate to 90 per cent, verifying compliance is challenging.
To solve this, Seoul plans to require manufacturers to increase the safety margin of 3 to 5 per cent up to 10 per cent upon request. Vehicles with this adjustment would receive a so-called “charge limit certificate”, granting access to underground parking.
Seoul has presented this plan to domestic EV manufacturers, who are currently assessing its feasibility. Mr Yeo noted that the process is complex and timelines are uncertain, emphasising the need for manufacturer cooperation.
The Seoul metropolitan government announced that starting in September, it will cap the maximum charging rate of city-operated EV fast chargers in public parking spaces at 80 per cent.
The limit will also be extended to privately operated fast chargers installed across Seoul later.
Emergency fire safety inspections will also be conducted for EV charging facilities installed in apartment parking spaces.
The Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters will take the lead in inspecting close to 400 apartment complexes in Seoul with EV chargers by the end of September to ensure they have proper facilities such as sprinklers, and to note any necessary improvements.
By October, the city will also revise its regulations to require new buildings built after that month to install safety facilities that can respond quickly to fires caused by EVs.
According to data from the National Fire Agency presented by the city government during the Aug 9 briefing, 187 fires caused by EVs have occurred from 2018 until June 2024. Out of the 187 fires, 16 happened in Seoul. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/e...arparks-in-seoul-ban-evs-after-explosion-case
Some residential underground carparks in Seoul ban EVs after explosion case
Police move a burnt electric car from the underground carpark of an apartment building after completing their probe in Incheon. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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