August 20, 2024 – Earlier this month, a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle caught fire in an underground parking lot of an apartment complex in Incheon, South Korea, damaging over 100 vehicles and causing minor injuries to some residents. The blaze, which burned for several hours before being extinguished, sparked widespread concern among the public regarding the safety of electric vehicles.
In response to the incident, the South Korean Ministry of Environment urgently convened a meeting to discuss the safety issues related to electric vehicle fires. Additionally, the government is contemplating requiring automakers to disclose the battery brands used in their electric vehicles.
The accident resulted in significant losses for the 1,581 households in the affected apartment complex. Mercedes-Benz Korea has offered a donation of 4.5 billion Korean won towards post-disaster reconstruction efforts. However, this amount has met with strong opposition from the residents, who believe it is far from adequate to cover their losses.
During a meeting with the affected residents, Mathias Vaitl, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea, was late, further infuriating the already upset residents. They expressed their anger and dissatisfaction, pointing out that the compensation offered, averaging approximately 3 million Korean won per household, is insufficient to cover their losses.
According to Yonhap News Agency, residents voiced their grievances to Vaitl during the meeting. One resident emphasized that a single electric vehicle fire had ruined the livelihoods of 1,581 families. Others raised concerns about insurance coverage, noting that some residents may only receive partial compensation for their damaged vehicles. Health issues arising from the fire, including secondary pollution caused by smoke and dust, headaches, and throat infections among children, were also highlighted.
