There was fire incident involving Renault-Samsung’s electric vehicle ‘SM3.Z.E.’ that was driving on a street from Mudeungsan Mountain’s Chungminsa Shrine in Gwangju in Jeonnam towards Chungjangsa Shrine on the 15th. According to videos that Electronic News was able to obtain on this incident, fire had occurred from front bonnet of this electric vehicle and the whole vehicle was caught on fire as it had spread towards the back.

SM3.Z.E.’s 26.6 kWh rectangular battery, which is a lithium-ion secondary battery, occupies inner space of electric vehicle’s backseats and part of trunk.

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<Mudeungsan Mountain Electric Vehicle Fire Incident Renault-Samsung’s electric vehicle ‘SM3.Z.E.’ that was driving on Mudeungsan Mountain Street in Gwangju on the 15th suddenly caught fire and was completely burnt down. >

“After arriving at the scene, fire was spread towards back seats and the driver was transported to a hospital for burns.“ said a representative for Korea National Park Service’s Mudeungsan Mountain Management Office. “According to the driver’s statement, fire had occurred unexpectedly while driving and the driver got out of the car after parking the car.” This representative added that explosions that are little quieter than gun sound had occurred 3 to 4 times in backseats along with fire and the car was 2013 Renault-Samsung’s electric vehicle.

“We are currently investigating causes of this accident ever since it had occurred on the 15th.” said Renault-Samsung. “Although we have not found any causes that might indicate that the car was at fault, we are going to keep on investigating till we find accurate causes.”

Staff Reporter Park, Taejon | gaius@etnews.com (specializes in electric vehicles and batteries)