Over 70 Lithium-Ion Battery Accidents Just This Year, How Can We Prevent Them?

This year, a series of lithium-ion battery fires has raised public concern over safety. This article highlights the causes of these accidents and the countermeasures introduced, covering both government agencies and everyday electronic devices.…….Ed

     On September 16th, a fire occurred at the National Information Resources Service in Daejeon due to a lithium-ion battery, shutting down the government systems for nearly a month. Earlier in August, a battery explosion from an electric scooter in Mapo-gu killed two people, and in September, a passenger’s electric motorcycle battery ignited at Hapjeong station, resulting in a lawsuit. More than 70 similar incidents have occurred just this year, raising public concern about lithium-ion battery safety. According to the National Fire Agency (NFA), between 2020 and 2024 there were a total of 678 lithium-ion battery fires in South Korea. The situation is similar abroad. Across 12 countries, the number of such incidents skyrocketed from 231 in 2014 to 3,880 in 2024, clearly demonstrating the growing risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.

     So why does lithium-ion battery fire happen? These batteries generate electricity through reactions between the cathode and anode in an electrolyte. When the “separator” between these electrodes is damaged, internal short circuiting occurs, leading to a “thermal runaway” where the temperature can soar to as high as 1,000°C within seconds, often resulting in fire. Despite these risks, lithium-ion batteries are widely used due to their high efficiency and light weight, found in smartphones, laptops, electric scooters, e-bikes, and even electric vehicles. Industries also rely on them for them used in systems like Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS). Experts generally cite battery aging, battery damage, overcharging and poor operating environments as the main causes of battery fires. E-bikes and scooters are particularly prone to accidents because they use large-capacity batteries and are frequently exposed to physical shocks.

     After several major accidents, public fear has given rise to the term “Battery Phobia”. After the apartment fire in Mapo-gu, residents in nearby Seodaemun-Gu began posting listings to sell spare batteries, reflecting a growing “Battery Exodus”. In response, NFA has released prevention guidelines, urging the public to exercise extra caution. ➀ Use Korean Fire Institute (KFI)-certified products and genuine chargers. ➁ Avoid old or damaged batteries. ➂ Prevent overcharging. ④ Avoid high-temperature and humid environments ⑤ Charge in a safe location.

     However, institutional support still is trailing. Last December, the KFI established certification standards for lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers, but as of now, no product has obtained KFI certification. It means that only uncertified extinguishers are used. Moreover, unlike the U.S. and Europe, South Korea lacks dedicated battery insurance products, making it difficult to determine liability after an accident. To address these regulatory, cross-agency cooperation seems to be urgently needed to introduce specialized insurance coverage. Given that lithium-ion batteries have become essential in daily life, such convenience regrettably comes with risk. Therefore, it’s time to take a closer look at the devices around us, as simple changes in daily habits can prevent major disasters.

Ihm Jae-young (ST Reporter)

pausoon@soongsil.ac.kr