Ioniq 5 vs. BYD Sea Lion 7: What Caused the Shocking Electric Vehicle Fire in Seoul?

Seoul EV Fire Investigation Nears Completion

No Abnormalities Found in Ioniq 5 Battery

BYD Seal U Battery Condition Undisclosed

Accident scene – Credit: Fire Department

Authorities are in the final stages of their investigation into the electric vehicle fire that occurred in an underground residential garage in Seoul’s Seodaemun district.

The incident involved two EVs that were charging at the time: a Hyundai Ioniq 5 and a BYD Seal U (known as Sealion 7 in some markets). Both vehicles were completely destroyed in the blaze.

A joint task force comprising fire department officials and experts from the Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATRI) is analyzing the cause. Sources indicate that the final report is imminent.

Ioniq 5 Battery Shows No Signs of Malfunction

Ioniq 5 battery – Credit: Online forum

Preliminary findings reveal that the NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) battery pack in the Ioniq 5 remained intact after the incident.

Post-accident voltage measurements indicated that the battery’s internal voltage stayed within normal parameters.

Given these observations, investigators are exploring the possibility that the Ioniq 5’s battery may not have been the primary cause of the fire.

BYD Seal U Battery Status Not Yet Public

BYD Seal U – Credit: BYD

BYD has not yet released official information on the condition of the battery in its electric SUV, the Seal U.

The Chinese automaker typically equips its EVs with LFP (lithium iron phosphate) Blade Batteries, which are engineered to be less susceptible to thermal runaway and are generally considered safer than some other battery chemistries.

Blade Batteries Not Immune to Fire Incidents

Blade battery – Credit: BYD

Despite their reputation for safety, there have been reports of fire incidents involving vehicles equipped with Blade batteries in the Chinese market.

In 2024, BYD initiated a recall of approximately 115,000 electric vehicles in China due to a potential battery design flaw. The recall affected models including the Yuan Pro and Dolphin.

As the joint investigation team concludes its analysis, industry watchers are keenly awaiting the final report. The findings are expected to have significant implications for discussions on EV fire prevention and battery safety standards in the automotive sector.