Tesla is at risk of losing subsidies in Korea over widespread battery failures
Tesla is in hot water in South Korea as nearly 4,500 of its electric vehicles have reported serious battery issues, putting their eligibility for government subsidies at risk.
We’re receiving some troubling reports from South Korea today, as the Korea JoongAng Daily is reporting that a significant number of Tesla vehicles are experiencing battery failures.
The issue centers around a “BMS_a079 error,” a fault in the Battery Management System that is causing headaches for nearly 4,500 Tesla owners. This error, which has been reported in both Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, triggers a safety protocol that limits the battery’s maximum charge to 50%. This effectively cripples the vehicle’s range, posing a major inconvenience for owners who rely on their Teslas for daily driving.
The problem has been escalating for some time and affects primarily 2021 vehicles, with a total of 4,637 reported cases in 4,351 cars.
Here are the exact numbers Tesla reportedly shared with Democratic Party lawmaker Park Sang-hyuk:
| Total | One-time failure | Two-time failure | Three-time failure | Four-time failure | |
| No. of cars | 4,351 | 4,086 | 245 | 19 | 1 |
| No. of cases | 4,637 | 4,086 | 490 | 57 | 4 |
As you can see, the problem has also been recurring after battery replacements in hundreds of cases, which some blame on Tesla using refurbished battery packs rather than new ones.
For the most part, Tesla was covering the repairs under warranty. But many of these vehicles are now out of warranty, as they sometimes exceed the maximum mileage. In those cases, owners are facing a staggering repair bill of over 30 million won (approximately $22,000) to get their cars back in working order.
This has, understandably, led to a growing chorus of angry customers.
As much as 22% of 2021 Model Ys and 12% of 2021 Model 3s in Korea are affected. This led people to believe that it had nothing to do with normal wear and tear, and it should be a recall for a defect.
A civic group, the Citizens United for Consumer Sovereignty, is now demanding that Tesla Korea take responsibility for the issue. They are calling for a full-scale recall of all affected vehicles and a thorough investigation by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport to get to the root cause of the problem.
The situation has also caught the attention of the Korean government. The Environment Ministry has issued a stern warning to Tesla: fix the problem, or risk losing the lucrative government subsidies that have been a key driver of EV adoption in the country.
A government official who handles EV subsidy programs told the Korea JoongAng Daily:
“We have requested a clear response from Tesla Korea regarding the issue, but have yet to receive one. If the company continues to remain unresponsive, we will have no choice [but to consider suspending subsidies.] We cannot justify providing public funds for vehicles that disadvantage consumers.”
The current subsidy for EVs in South Korea can be up to 5.8 million won (approximately $3,950), which is a significant factor contributing to South Korea’s status as a key market for Tesla.
Tesla has built a strong presence in South Korea, becoming the third-largest imported car brand by sales in 2024. However, this battery issue, coupled with the potential loss of subsidies, could significantly dent their market share.
Electrek’s Take
This is a developing story, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on how Tesla responds to this pressure from both the Korean government and its own customers.
It’s not the first time that Tesla has been found to limit battery capacity and charging through a software update.
However, it’s the first time that it has been linked to a large population of vehicles of a specific timeframe like that.
I would love to know the root cause of this problem, as I don’t understand why it primarily affects South Korean owners.
My understanding is that most of Tesla’s vehicles sold in Korea are made at Gigafactory Shanghai in China, and that’s Tesla’s main export hub. Most of Tesla’s vehicles outside of the US are made in China. We should start seeing similar issues in other markets unless there’s a specific contributing factor in Korea.
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The current EV era is ripe with revered classic car designs and iconic nameplates that are being reborn as battery-powered rides – and the success of cars the Renault 5 proves it can be a winning formula. Today, I’m suggesting another 1980s classic that deserves a modern electric update: the Buick Grand National.
I want to start this off by saying: yes, I know there was never a Buick Electra Grand National. The storied, turbocharged Buick GNX of yore was based on Buick’s Regal model, not the more ponderous Electra – but this is my article, and I think the “Electra” nameplate belongs on a US-market EV significantly sooner than later.
As for the “Grand National” part, the timeslip will solve that.
Why it would work
Thanks to the nearly $300,000 Cadillac CELESTIQ ultra-luxury car, we’ve already seen GM put a low-slung sedan body on its EV skateboard. That car uses a pair of electric motors, one on each axle, for a 655 hp all-wheel driving experience capable of launching the big sedan from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.
Putting those same motors under a shorter, lighter two-door sedan body would put my proposed all-electric Buick Electra at just under 6,000 lbs., and make the new car more than quick enough to earn the Grand National badge with a 3.5-second dash to 60 on its way to an 11.25 (ish) second quarter mile at about 120 mph. As for cost? You could almost name your price, but keeping it just under the Chevy Corvette’s $74,780 base price would make it a winner.
Limit production to 1987 units, make them order-only so dealers can’t ruin the party with obscene markups, and Buick can watch the money roll in … possibly.
You guys are smart, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find all the problems with this particular take – and I can’t wait to hear them! Should it be RWD only? A plug-in hybrid? Scroll on down to the comments and let me know what you think it would take to make a battery-powered Buick GNX revival make sense.
Original content from Electrek.
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If you’ve been dreaming about hitting the open road on two wheels with serious power, comfort, and style, the Cikada Touring e-Bike might just be your perfect ride. Designed for modern explorers who want adventure without compromise, this premium e-bike blends high-end performance with thoughtful design.
Smooth power that takes you everywhere
At the heart of the Cikada Touring e-Bike is a BaFang M410 350W motor that packs a punch with 80Nm of torque and provides assisted speed of up to 20 mph.
Mounted at the bike’s center, the motor’s placement creates ideal weight distribution, boosting traction and handling on everything from steep climbs to winding trails. Its compact design integrates seamlessly into the frame, keeping the center of gravity low for a more stable, confident ride that feels naturally in sync with your movements.
You’ll climb hills like a pro and accelerate with ease. It’s efficient, reliable, and perfect for riders who want consistent power for touring, commuting, or weekend adventures. Plus, it’s got walk assistance for when you’re not riding.
Go the distance
Worried about running out of juice? Don’t be. The 720Wh LG 21700 removable battery delivers a range of up to 75 miles (121 km) on a single charge. That’s plenty of power for long scenic routes, daily commutes, or even multi-day rides when you want to explore more and charge less. And when it’s time to juice up again, it only takes six to eight hours to reach full charge.
Built for comfort and confidence
No matter where the road takes you, the Cikada Touring e-Bike is ready. Its 27.5 x 2.8-inch Kenda anti-puncture tires with reflector strips keep you rolling smoothly and safely, while the suspension fork absorbs bumps across various terrains. Add an ergonomic design and 6061 aluminum frame, and you’ve got a bike that feels stable, balanced, and built to last.
Hydraulic disc brakes give you confident stopping power, and with 8-speed Microshift gearing, you’ll have full control over every incline and descent.
Everything you need, built in
The Cikada Touring e-Bike comes fully equipped for adventure. With integrated rear rack, lights, and mudguards, it’s road-ready right out of the box. No extra accessories needed – just hop on and ride.
Plus, the integrated Bafang system means your motor, sensor, and display all work seamlessly together for a smooth, intuitive riding experience.
Take it to the next level with the Cikada app
Plan, manage, and customize your next adventure with the Cikada app. Available on Android and iOS, it pairs your smartphone to your e-bike via Bluetooth so you can dive into real-time performance data, service tools, and smart ride features that make every journey smoother and more connected. You can track your progress, analyze past rides, fine-tune your ride settings, check your bike’s status, and even share your location or ride stats with the Cikada community, all from one easy-to-use dashboard.
Why riders love it
The Cikada Touring e-Bike is more than just a good-looking ride. It’s a thoughtful blend of power, endurance, and comfort – ideal for riders who want to explore new places, tackle longer distances, or simply enjoy every mile with confidence.
Plus, Cikada offers a 30-day trial period on all its e-Bikes. If you’re not happy, Cikada refunds your purchase, no questions asked.
Ready to tour farther, climb higher, and ride in style? Check out the premium Cikada Touring e-Bike and start your next great adventure.
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It looks like retail giant Target has been reading our posts about the Chevy Brightdrop being the best deal in the commercial EV business, because the company has picked GM’s electric box van to pilot a new, dedicated last-mile delivery service in Dallas-Fort Worth.
The new pilot program will see 50 new Chevy Brightdrop vans deployed in a collaboration between Target, Circuit EV Solutions, and a last-mile logistics startup called the Frontdoor Collective that relies on its franchise owners to make its deliveries instead of outsourcing that delivery work to independent contract carriers gig workers.
“We’re building the infrastructure backbone that makes high-volume electric delivery possible nationwide,” said Adam Greenberg, CEO at Circuit EV Solutions. “By ensuring fleets have the charging support they need, we’re removing the final barrier to true EV scalability in last-mile logistics.”
Circuit EV Solutions provides the backbone of the highly-visible Target collaboration, delivering the fleet management and charging software to monitors vehicle health, schedule depot charging, and ensure that every Chevy Brightdrop van leaves the hub with an optimally full battery and a fully optimized delivery route, eliminating range anxiety among the vans’ operators.
Chevy Brightdrop
Chevrolet Brightbrop electric vans were designed with last-mile delivery efforts in mind, and offers a best-in-class 272 miles of combined range, large, squared-off cargo hold for maximum capacity, and lower maintenance and fuel costs than the ICE-powered competition.
For independent delivery service providers, that’s a killer combination that can help translate to higher margins and more time back in their busy days to spend with their families – which is something I think we can all get behind.
Click here to find out if your business can take advantage of special tax incentives with the purchase of a new electric van, and click the link, below, to check out a new Brightdrop van near you.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Circuit EV, via Freightwaves.
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