◀ Anchor ▶
A fire broke out in an electric city bus made by Hyundai Motor Company and containing LG Chem’s batteries.
Kona, an electric car made by the same company, has had fifteen fire accidents so far.
Reporter Lee Yoo-kyung reported on whether the cause of the electric vehicle battery fire continues and whether the cause can be properly identified.
◀ Report ▶
Smoke and flames soar from the bus stopped by the side of the road.
“Aren’t there anybody inside?”
Firefighters try to sprinkle water, but it’s not enough to catch the fire.
It was an accident yesterday afternoon on a Korean national highway in Changwon, Gyeongnam.
The bus that caught fire was Hyundai Motor’s electric bus’Eleccity’, which was produced in October 2019.
At the time, the bus was on the way back to the garage after being repaired at a workshop due to a problem with parts related to the electric battery.
[버스회사 관계자]
“It’s a simple light maintenance that makes it work properly when the wheel is rolling.”
This is the first time that a running electric car caught fire.
At the time of the fire, the bus driver stated that the fire had started from the ceiling.
A battery is installed in the ceiling.
[창원소방본부 관계자]
“The first reporter said he saw a fire and smoke on the roof of the car…”
The battery on the bus that caught fire was the same type as the Kona that had fired 15 times.
It is a battery made in a Chinese factory by LG Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of LG Chem’s battery division.
However, since an accident occurred while running immediately after maintenance, it is necessary to investigate whether the cause is the same.
The Automotive Safety Research Institute, which has been investigating the cause of fire in Kona for the past year and a half, will announce the results soon.
Depending on whether the battery is defective or not, the recall cost can be enormous, which is expected to have a big impact in the electric vehicle and battery industry.
This is Yookyung Lee of MBC News.
(Video editing: Byun Seoha / Video provided: Park Seongjun)
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