SOUTH KOREA PANT BATTERY FIRE
How one of the world's strongest car unions is dealing with EV job losses
Toyota in Japan and Hyundai or Kia in South Korea navigate challenges from technological transformation and electrification.
South Korea begins search for answers after battery plant fire kills 22
Following a devastating fire at a lithium battery factory in South Korea that claimed the lives of 22 workers with one still missing, urgent safety inspections have been ordered at high-risk industrial sites. The blaze, which erupted in a warehouse containing 35,000 lithium batteries, resulted in toxic smoke, likely causing the workers to lose consciousness and perish within seconds. The majority of the victims were temporary workers from China, prompting investigations into safety regulations and training practices for foreign laborers.
Fire at a lithium battery factory in South Korea kills 22
A fire at a manufacturing factory in South Korea, likely caused by exploding lithium batteries, resulted in the death of 22 workers, mostly Chinese migrants, and injured 8 others. The incident occurred during battery examination and packaging, with nationalities of the victims including Chinese, South Korean, and Laotian. Authorities are investigating the blaze, while efforts continue to locate a missing worker and treat the injured.
US flies B-1B bomber for first precision bomb drill in 7 years as tensions simmer with North Korea
The United States conducted a precision-guided bombing drill with South Korea, flying a B-1B bomber over the Korean Peninsula for the first time in seven years. This exercise, seen as a show of force against North Korea, included other advanced U.S. and South Korean fighter jets. The drill aimed to demonstrate the U.S. security commitment to South Korea and strengthen joint defense posture. North Korea has recently engaged in provocative actions, including launching rockets and floating balloons carrying trash toward South Korea.
North Korea's trash balloons deepen tensions with the South. Here's what's happening between rivals
Tensions rise between North and South Korea as North Korea sends balloons carrying trash to South Korea, prompting retaliatory steps from the South. The North's actions threaten to escalate the conflict along the border.
Why energy storage is key to global renewable goals
G7 environment ministers committed on Tuesday to ramp up the production and deployment of battery storage technology, an essential component for increasing renewable energy and combating climate change. The G7 said Tuesday it would not only support more production and use of battery storage, but promote technological advancements in the sector as well as grid infrastructure. cho/giv/np/tw
How three high-tech countries became laggards in electric vehicles
The US and South Korea, for example, are a category unto themselves for maintaining a relatively slow pace of EV growth even after EVs surpassed 5% of new vehicle sales.
Solution to pollution: Are electric cars ‘green’?
While demand for EVs is rising, India needs to ensure that this transition in transportation is truly green.
S Korea Air Force begins regular large-scale exercise
The eight-day Soaring Eagle exercise began at an air base in Cheongju, 112 kilometre south of Seoul, amid tensions on the Korean Peninsula in the wake of North Korea's firing of a purported solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile last month. The exercise mobilises more than 160 personnel and nearly 60 warplanes, including F-35A stealth fighters, F-15Ks, KF-16s and KC-330 tanker transport aircraft, according to the Air Force, Yonhap news agency reported.
Shipping industry grapples with ways to cut cargo fires at sea
In its 2022 safety and shipping review, analysis by major insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty showed there had been over 70 reported fires on board container ships alone in the past five years, with growing risks faced by car carriers transporting electric vehicles using batteries.
Ola rescinds move to fire 200 engineers
Employees were informed about the change in plan at a town hall meeting helmed by senior technology leaders at the company.
Ola fires 200 more engineers in fresh round of layoffs
The company had laid off around 1,000 employees already this year as the company repurposed its focus to the ride-hailing and EV business.
Why getting to the top spot isn’t easy for Warren Buffett-backed EV giant BYD
BYD’s challenge shows how hard it is to produce batteries at scale — even if the technology is superior — and why that will become one of the main stumbling blocks in the near-term as demand surges.
Ola Electric invests $100 million in battery cell R&D
Currently, Ola Electric sources battery cells from South Korea-based LG Chem for its electric scooters. Battery cells are the most expensive component in an EV, and manufacturing these can cut costs by around 30%.
India's Ola Electric chief Bhavish Aggarwal says e-scooter fires rare but can happen in future
The company, backed by Japan's SoftBank Group, has recalled more than 1,400 e-scooters and appointed external experts to investigate the cause.
Faulty battery cells, modules likely caused e-scooter fire in India, initial probe finds
INDIA-ELECTRIC-Faulty battery cells, modules likely caused e-scooter fire in India, initial probe finds
US agency opens probe into electric vehicle batteries
General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Stellantis and Volkswagen have issued recalls since February 2020, most due to internal battery failures that can increase the risk of fires.
Indian electric vehicle firms running low on Lithium-ion batteries
Furthermore, cell manufacturers prefer supplying to markets such as the richer neighbourhoods in Europe and the US - or markets that guarantee higher volumes.
Hyundai Motor to recall Kona EV and other electric vehicles in S. Korea
The recall will replace the vehicles' battery systems and applies to 25,083 Kona EVs, starting March 29, South Korea's transport ministry said in a statement.
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