Hyundai’s Kona Electric Vehicle’s launched between 2018 and 2020 were reported to have caught fires due to the electric SUVs battery. reportedly Hyundai has finally recalled nearly around 76,000 EVs. Interestingly, it’s the second recall of the Kona EV, but the first global recall, and it will cost Hyundai around $900 million to perform.
According to sources, Hyundai is also recalling some Ioniq EVs and electric buses built between November 2017 and March 2020. The models were using the same LG Chem cells. So if we do maths, which is not hard (just kidding), in total, the automaker is recalling 82,000 vehicles.
Both the automaker Hyundai and battery designer LG Chem has decided to completely replace the batteries in these vehicles instead of trying to solve the issue through software updates, which is a good decision according to us.
The recall is starting in South Korea, but Hyundai Motor North America told, it will “be taking a similar action in the US and Canada.”
“We are working closely with NHTSA and Transport Canada on the recall and will communicate the details to affected customers shortly.”
Earlier reports of the Kona EVs catching fire surfaced back in mid-2019, and at least 15 have been documented since, including one vehicle that was already called in for repair.
The issue allegedly has to do with the material that separates the cell’s cathode and anode. It’s not just Hyundai but another automaker who used LG Chem batteries like the General Motors has also recently recalled nearly 70,000 Chevy Bolts after reports of fires.
Hyundai recently unveiled its Ioniq 5 crossover SUV, the first EV built on the company’s new electric vehicle platform. That platform will use battery cells from fellow Korean company SK Innovation as well as China’s CATL.
