Hyundai Motor, Korea's No. 1 carmaker, became the first company in the nation to disclose such information on Friday. The company revealed the battery suppliers for 13 EV models on its website, stating that all models use batteries from Korean firms SK On and LG Energy Solution, except for the EV version of the SUV Kona, which uses batteries from China's Farasis Energy.
Its sister company Kia followed suit on Monday, announcing its seven EV models use batteries from SK On, LG Energy Solution and China's CATL.
On the same day, BMW Korea became the first import car company to do so, saying its electric SUVs, the iX1 and iX3, use CATL batteries, while models like the iX xDrive50, iX M60, and its electric sedans are equipped with Samsung SDI batteries.
This move came in response to increased consumer inquiries following an incident on Aug. 1, when a Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan exploded in the underground parking garage of an apartment complex, sparking a fire that injured about 20 people and damaged over 100 cars.
Mercedes-Benz Korea on Tuesday revealed the battery suppliers for its eight EV models through its official website.
The EQE 350, the model involved in the recent fire incident, uses batteries from Chinese manufacturer Farasis Energy. Other EQE trims, including the 350+, AMG 53 4MATIC+ and 350 4MATIC, are also equipped with batteries from Farasis Energy. Models such as EQA, EQB, EQS and EQC are said to utilize batteries from SK On, LG Energy Solution and China's CATL.
Mercedes-Benz Korea also said it will conduct free inspections of its electric vehicles starting Thursday at 75 official service centers nationwide. The company said it is cooperating with authorities to determine the exact cause of the accident and will provide full support for appropriate follow-up measures once the cause is identified.
Other foreign automakers, including Volkswagen, Audi and Volvo, are reportedly considering voluntary disclosure of their EV battery suppliers.
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