South Korea to split vehicle inspection standards for EVs and combustion cars

As electric vehicles and other eco-friendly cars become increasingly common on South Korean roads, the government will introduce separate inspection standards for them, moving away from the single framework that has long covered both eco-friendly and conventional combustion-engine vehicles.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced Wednesday that it will pre-announce legislation for amendments to the Enforcement Rules of the Motor Vehicle Management Act, which establish distinct inspection standards for eco-friendly vehicles and strengthen safety management by improving the system for handling diagnostic information required during inspections.

The amendments reflect the significant differences in drivetrains and key components between eco-friendly vehicles and internal combustion engine cars, separating inspection items and criteria accordingly. Eco-friendly vehicles will be subject to 21 inspection items — including high-voltage electrical systems — while combustion-engine vehicles will be assessed against 24 items covering engines and fuel systems.

The deadline by which automakers and other parties must provide the Korea Transportation Safety Authority with diagnostic information needed for periodic inspections has been moved significantly earlier — from "within six months of the first sale of a new vehicle" to "at least 10 days before the start of sales." The change aims to prevent disruptions at inspection sites and close safety blind spots that can arise when diagnostic data is not delivered on time, such as when a manufacturer shuts down after a new model launches.

The amendments also define the scope of diagnostic information that automakers must provide free of charge to facilitate smooth inspections of high-voltage electrical systems, including EV batteries. The required data includes encryption source codes essential for manufacturing inspection equipment, as well as maximum and minimum cell voltage figures.

To prevent wheel detachment accidents, the amendments tighten inspection criteria so that vehicles found to have loose or missing wheel nuts and bolts during the drivetrain inspection will automatically receive a failing grade. Vehicles that fail inspection must also undergo re-inspection within 10 days of completing repairs, with administrative measures — including fines and orders to suspend operation — imposed on those that miss the deadline.

Bae So-myeong, head of the ministry's Vehicle Operation and Insurance Division, said the amendments would make vehicle inspections, including those for electric vehicles, more thorough and give the public greater confidence when driving.