The CEO of Samsung SDI has called the recent string of fires involving Kona EV “growing pains” for the industry.
The Company CEO Jun Young-hyun told TheElec in an interview at the firm’s groundbreaking ceremony with EcoPro EM for their joint cathode production line that he considers the recent fires “growing pains for our [batter and EV] industry to grow”.
Jun added that the shortage of batteries for electric vehicles will continue next year. Samsung SDI was looking at the long-term when it comes to investments to expand battery production rate, the CEO added.
Hyundai Motor group, Ford, General Motors and BMW has recently commenced voluntary recalls for some their car models due to dangers of potential fires.
Samsung SDI had supplied its batteries for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles manufactured by Ford and BMW.
Causes of them catching fire is yet to determined. They are being investigated but this will likely take a long time as batteries are burnt out during fires and there are little debris left of the actual batteries.
BMW had said in its statement for its recall that some debris inside the battery cell pack could cause fires.
Hyundai, in its recall for Kona EV, has also sighted issues with the separators in the batteries.
BMW only buys the battery cells from Samsung SDI __ it assembles the modules and packs on its own. Hyundai also receives battery cells from LG Chem __ its own subsidiaries such as Hyundai Mobis assemble them into packs.
Samsung SDI investing in its battery factory at Goed, Hungary. The company is planning to invest over 1.2 trillion won for two factories there that aims to produce 18 million cells per month by 2030.
