Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association ISSN:2005-9396(Print) 자동차안전학회지

This study investigates the structural characteristics and underlying risk factors of electric vehicle (EV) fires through a statistical analysis of 148 documented cases in South Korea between 2018 and 2024. While public concern regarding EV fire safety has intensified alongside the rapid adoption of electric vehicles, empirical and data-driven research remains limited in the South Korean context. To address this gap, the study employs a suite of multivariate statistical techniques—including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, and hierarchical cluster analysis—to examine fire occurrence patterns and risk profiles. The analysis reveals statistically significant associations among battery manufacturer, operational status at the time of ignition, and the initial ignition source. By statistically validating domestic EV fire data, this study provides evidence-based insights into fire causation mechanisms and proposes targeted technical improvements and policy recommendations to enhance electric vehicle safety.