[미디어SR 정혜원 기자] As early as the 19th, Hyundai Motor Company submits the repeated Kona EV (Electric Vehicle) recall plan to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. It is known that there is a high possibility that the contents of replacing all the batteries of the problem vehicle type will be contained.
On the 19th, the industry predicts that Hyundai will submit a recall plan to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport with the content that it will replace all the batteries of Kona EV.
Hyundai Motor, which is preparing to face Tesla in the global electric car market with the exclusive electric car brand’Ioniq’ this year, is expected to expand the recall to overseas and to prevent the loss of consumer confidence by replacing all batteries.
However, the Automotive Safety Research Institute said to the Media SR that “the defect investigation has not been completed yet.” For this reason, the submission may be postponed because discussions have not been completed, such as the cost burden between LG Energy Solution (formerly LG Chem’s battery business division) and Hyundai Motor Company.
Assuming a plan to replace batteries for 70,000 to 100,000 vehicles, the total cost is estimated to be around 2 trillion won, considering the battery unit cost of 20 million won per unit.
◇ KONA EV that has problems with recall measures
Kona EV reported 11 fires in Korea and 4 overseas fires since May 2018, and Hyundai Motor recalled in October last year to upgrade the battery management system for 77,000 Kona EVs worldwide.
However, as a fire broke out in Kona EV, which was recalled on the 23rd of last month, vehicle owners’ anxiety and dissatisfaction are growing.
In the online community where electric car owners have already gathered, articles such as “Hyundai’s response is not easy”, “it will become more problematic when the temperature rises”, and “I am anxious every time I ride a car” have been posted.
As a result of a fire investigation at the Daegu Dalseo Fire Station, the Kona EV was a vehicle that was recalled in December of last year, and occurred during charging at an electric vehicle rapid charging site.
Accordingly, the Korea Automobile Safety Research Institute took measures such as increasing the number of members of the Kona electric vehicle fire investigation to a maximum of 16, but the Kona electric vehicle fire investigation is still ongoing.
In addition, the owners who took the recall to upgrade the BMS testified that there was a situation in which the engine could not be started and any functions did not work.
Kona EV owners call this phenomenon’brick phenomenon’. After receiving the recall, a warning light to check the system was lit, or none of the electronic equipment was working.
However, it is known that Hyundai Motor Company replaced the entire battery for some car owners who repeatedly experienced brickwork.
◇ Defective battery vs. vehicle manufacturing defect…
Among them, an electric bus fire broke out in Changwon, Gyeongnam on the 15th. The Korea Automobile Safety Research Institute, the fire department, and Hyundai Motors began investigating the maintenance details and battery defects of the electric bus in which the fire occurred on the 16th.
In particular, it is known that the Korea Automobile Safety Research Institute and others will look into whether it is related to the Kona EV fire that has been ongoing since October last year.
The bus is equipped with a battery made by LG Energy Solutions, and it is known that battery-related parts called Power Relay Assembly (PRA) were repaired just before the accident.
At the time Hyundai Motor recalled last October, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said, “The Kona electric car manufactured and sold by Hyundai Motor Company was fired due to an internal short circuit due to defective battery cell manufacturing of high voltage batteries after the vehicle was charged. It was confirmed that the possibility of occurrence was confirmed. “The battery cell defect was investigated as a cause of damage to the separator between the positive (+) and negative (-) plates due to poor quality in the manufacturing process.”
However, LG Chem said, “(Investigation results) were announced without the exact cause of the fire being identified.” “Even in a replay experiment jointly conducted with Hyundai Motors, it did not lead to a fire. No,” he refuted.
As the electric car fire accident continues, it seems that there is a tense nervous war between Hyundai Motor Company and LG Energy Solutions. This is because the subject and scope of responsibility may vary depending on the cause of the electric vehicle fire. It is known that the two companies are showing strong disagreement over the issue of the size of battery replacement and cost sharing.
Both companies’ claims are also convincing. Hyundai Motor Company applied the same platform as the Kona EV, but emphasizes the fact that there was no fire in the Niro EV equipped with SK Innovation’s battery. It is argued that the Kona EV fire is continuing due to a defect in battery manufacturing.
However, LG Energy Solutions supplies batteries to more than 20 automakers around the world besides Hyundai Motor Company.
However, LG’s position is that it is not a problem with the battery cells that fires continuously occur in Hyundai’s Kona EV.
In particular, the industry mentions the fact that no fire has ever been reported in the case of Renault’s Joe, which has similar specifications to Kona EV.
Samsung Securities chief researcher Jang Jeong-hoon told Media SR, “It is difficult for LG to acknowledge defects in battery manufacturing, but it is difficult for Hyundai to unilaterally hold responsibility for battery manufacturers. As a key component that influences the quality and safety of vehicles, it seems that the finished product manufacturer and the battery manufacturer have an equal relationship.”
“It will be very difficult to find out the cause of the electric vehicle fire,” said chief researcher Jang. “Experts believe that it is the best way for both companies to agree in a reasonable way.”