News channel Reuters published an update on the recall of defective EV batteries in United States. It says U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reviewing the process to ensure it is complete. We wondered why NHTSA is reviewing the LG EV battery recall at this time, and decided to investigate.
NHTSA Is Double-Checking Everybody Knows
Some 138,324 defective LG electrical vehicle batteries were apparently delivered to several high profile US EV makers. We understand these manufacturers include Mercedes Benz, Chrysler-Stellantis, General Motors and Hyundai. But we repeat the information here in case anyone missed the recall, after COVID-19 perhaps disrupted their lives.
The NHTSA is therefore contacting LG ‘and other companies that might have purchased the same or similar equipment from LG’. It will inform the latter ‘of this defect in any vehicles they manufactured, to ensure thorough safety recalls where appropriate’. LG Energy Solution has undertaken to ‘fully cooperate with the inquiry’ according to Reuters.
Why NHTSA Is Reviewing the LG EV Battery Recall Now
The defective batteries appear to be widespread. Reuters says:
1… Stellantis recalled 16,741, 2017-2018 Pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles after LG battery packs featured in 12 reports of vehicle fires. However, it has not determined whether they caused the overheating.
2… Reuters also mentions 351 Volkswagen 2021 ID4 vehicles whose batteries ‘may contain insufficient soldering points, and potentially unreliable connections inside the high voltage battery‘. Apparently these vehicles ‘may break down while driving, potentially leading to a crash’
The recalls by the high profile US EV makers followed ‘internal failures in high-voltage vehicle batteries that pose fire risks’ according to Reuters. But we are pleased all concerned are taking necessary steps to protect the motoring public, and anticipate successful resolution.
However, it seems the defects behind the NHTSA review of the LG EV battery recall will not come cheap. That’s because Reuters says the process will hit LG Chem Ltd hard, to the tune of $510 million in its Q3 2022 financial results.
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