South Korea's transport ministry proposed law amendments to let EV buyers check battery makers and countries of origin. Disclosable information will expand from six to ten items, with higher fines for non-disclosure. New rules also target repeated battery defects with certification revocations.
SEOUL, March 22 (Yonhap) -- Customers will soon check more electric vehicle (EV) battery details, including manufacturer and country of origin, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Sunday. The revisions are included in proposed amendments to two laws, such as the enforcement rules of the Motor Vehicle Management Act. Currently available to customers are six items on battery function, like capacity and rated voltage. The expansion adds manufacturer, country of origin, product name, and manufacturing date, bringing the total to ten. Fines for carmakers and sellers failing to disclose required information rise to a maximum of 10 million won (US$6,600). The ministry set new standards to revoke safety certifications for repeated defects within a two-year period, with measures scaled by severity and occurrence (two to four times). Certification revocation applies if a design or manufacturing defect failing safety standards causes fire or damage twice, or if technical standards are met but safety hazards cause fire or damage three times. The ministry expects the rules to improve customers' right to know and build battery confidence to encourage EV purchases.