The office of Democratic Party lawmaker Son Myung-soo and the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association held a seminar on the 22nd at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, to examine separating ownership of an electric vehicle’s body from its battery. The model would allow consumers to buy the vehicle body while accessing the battery through a subscription or lease, potentially reducing upfront costs. Speakers said South Korea’s current Automobile Management Act treats the battery as part of the vehicle and lacks a framework for separate ownership registration or battery-leasing businesses. A proposed amendment would define rental traction batteries, permit separate registration and identify the battery lessor on the vehicle registration ledger. Participants also said reforms must address safety and post-management responsibility, insurance, subsidies, taxation, performance data, and battery recovery after contracts end. Lee Jong-wook presented seven potential business models, including Battery-as-a-Service, battery banks, swapping, mobile energy, vehicle-to-grid and virtual power plants, diagnostics and valuation, and lifecycle circulation. Panelists urged swift passage of the amendment and discussed consumer protection, battery finance, safety, reuse, recycling and battery-swapping services.