KTC Establishes EV Battery Fire Safety Assessment Hub...Strengthening Support for Businesses
Selected as the lead organization for the project to establish an evaluation base for fire safety of EV batteries
Infrastructure to be built on a 17,206㎡ site in Ochang Industrial Complex, Chungbuk… 47.52 billion KRW to be invested by 2026
▲ Perspective View of the General Industrial Complex in Ochang Technopolis, Chungbuk, where KTC will establish an EV Battery Fire Safety Assessment Test Center by 2026
The Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTC, President An Seong-il) announced on the 22nd that it has been selected as the lead organization for the 'Fire Safety Evaluation Infrastructure Project for High Energy Density Lithium-Ion Batteries for EVs' by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The project will be carried out over three years until 2026 with a total project cost of 47.52 billion KRW (15.52 billion KRW from national funds, 13.5 billion KRW from KTC, 9.25 billion KRW from Chungbuk provincial funds, and 9.25 billion KRW from Cheongju city funds). The project will be conducted on a 17,206㎡ site with a total floor area of 4,300㎡ within the Ochang Technopolis Industrial Complex in Cheongju.
To support the battery sector, which was designated as a National Advanced Strategic Industry Specialized Complex in July 2023,
KTC, as the lead organization (General Manager Jang Dong-hoon), formed a consortium with the Korea Automobile Research Institute (Head of Research Hyun Jeong-eun), the Korea Electronics Technology Institute (Chief Researcher Jo Yong-nam), and the Korea Battery Industry Association (Team Leader Jo Min-young).
Following the government project proposal and a competitive selection process, KTC was finally chosen as the lead organization on May 21st.
The project includes the establishment of the center, construction of research facilities and equipment, technical support, and personnel training.
KTC plans to create a dedicated fire safety test center for mid-sized EV batteries (50~150kWh) and construct two pack testing buildings and three module testing buildings that can perform individual tests tailored to international standards based on the scale of battery fires.
Additionally, KTC will prepare specialized equipment such as 12 types of thermal runaway and thermal transition evaluation analysis devices and dust collection equipment. They will also develop detailed fire safety test evaluation methods and battery safety assessment standards to meet the diverse requirements of automotive OEMs and the strengthening international standards, providing customized technical support.
KTC will concurrently pursue designation as a KOLAS accredited testing institution and will collaborate with universities and companies to offer training for enhancing fire safety testing capabilities, thereby fostering skilled personnel.
The global electric vehicle market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 24%, with the share of electric vehicles (EVs) projected to reach 88% of 78.78 million units by 2035. However, as the market expands, increasing battery capacity to extend driving range has highlighted safety issues, such as fires.
According to data from the National Fire Agency, as of June 2023, there were 42 electric vehicle fire incidents, nearly matching the 44 incidents reported in the entire year of 2022. More than half of these fires were caused by high-voltage battery malfunctions, indicating a need for measures to prevent and respond to fires through supporting the development of fire safety technologies by related domestic companies.
KTC anticipates that upon completion of the infrastructure project, securing fire safety for EV batteries will enhance the international competitiveness of domestic manufacturers who already hold an advantageous position in the global battery market.
Furthermore, KTC plans to actively support domestic companies in developing safe batteries through proactive responses to battery fire safety issues, helping them lead the global market as a powerhouse in secondary batteries.
An Seong-il, President of KTC, stated, "The battery sector is one of KTC's 13 strategic fields, and we are closely cooperating with related organizations for the development of the industry. With the establishment of the 'Electric Vehicle Battery Fire Safety Evaluation Test Center,' we will play a pivotal role in strengthening the competitiveness of the domestic electric vehicle industry through the identification and demonstration testing of battery fire causes."
