Hyundai plans to develop a firefighting robot to deal with electric vehicle fires and put it into use in 2026

On September 26, according to Yonhap News Agency, Hyundai Motor Group announced a significant plan to develop an unmanned firefighting robot specifically designed to tackle electric vehicle fires in underground parking lots. The group is collaborating closely with the Korean National Fire Agency and expects to complete the research and development of the robot by the end of this year, with plans to put it into practical use by 2026.
 

On August 1, a fire, suspected to have been caused by the spontaneous combustion of a Mercedes-Benz electric car, took 8 hours to fully extinguish, damaging approximately 140 vehicles and forcing nearby residents to evacuate to shelters. In response, the Korean Fire Department proposed using Hyundai Rotem's multi-purpose unmanned vehicle platform to develop firefighting vehicles, with an emphasis on enhancing the vehicle's heat resistance and equipping it with water cannons. After in-depth discussions, both parties reached an agreement to jointly develop the unmanned firefighting robot and plan to launch a prototype for trial operation in the first half of next year.
 

As electric vehicle fires occur more frequently, concerns about EV safety have intensified across various sectors of Korean society, prompting local governments to implement stricter control measures. For example, the Seoul Municipal Government recommends limiting the charging capacity of electric vehicles and has mandated that only EVs with a battery charge of no more than 90% are allowed to enter underground parking lots. Similar policies are being gradually introduced in other regions. Additionally, certain areas have restricted the use of electric vehicles until fire-fighting facilities meet the required standards.
 

On September 6, the South Korean government held a special meeting and officially released electric vehicle fire safety management measures, which stipulate that all EV manufacturers selling vehicles in South Korea must disclose key information about their power batteries.