A recall warning has been issued for greater than 12,000 electrical automobiles following the intense hazard of Mercedes-Benz EQB battery fires. The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) has acknowledged a defect in high-voltage lithium-ion batteries and urged house owners of affected 2022-2024 fashions to park outdoor and restrict charging to 80% till repairs are accomplished. The recall for Mercedes’ electrical SUV comes amid rising security considerations within the EV sector, and sellers are actually providing free battery replacements.
Mercedes-Benz EQB Recall: What are you fearful about?
In line with NHTSA utility 26V073, the Mercedes-Benz EQB recall impacts roughly 12,236 automobiles in america. Affected fashions embrace EQB 250+, EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC produced between December 13, 2021 and Could 9, 2024. Provider Farasis Power’s battery cells exhibit manufacturing variations and are “much less sturdy” at larger states of cost. Mercedes-Benz will exchange these high-voltage packs freed from cost to revive full security.
EQB battery fireplace danger: how the defect arose
Central to the EQB battery fireplace danger is the potential for inner brief circuits within the lithium-ion cells. This creates a “thermal occasion” that may trigger a hearth whether or not the car is parked or transferring. Drivers might even see warnings on their dashboards whereas driving, however parked automobiles do not see them, rising the urgency of the Mercedes-Benz EQB recall. NHTSA knowledge reveals related issues have occurred in previous remembers, together with a restricted EQB advisory final 12 months.
Fashions and manufacturing particulars affected by Mercedes electrical SUV recall
For now, this recall solely impacts vehicles in america, so European shoppers need not fear. This newest Mercedes electrical car recall targets particular EQB variants. The flaw is brought on by variations in provider processes and is a standard thread within the EV battery challenges seen within the Tesla, Volvo, and Hyundai remembers.
Why Mercedes EQB recall brings security again into focus
As electrical automobiles quickly enhance in recognition, the EQB battery fireplace danger and this Mercedes electrical SUV recall exhibit the vital function of battery high quality. Though lithium-ion fires are uncommon, accidents involving e-bikes and chargers exhibit the actual vulnerability of electrical automobiles to thermal runaway.
Mercedes-Benz’s aggressive bailout is sweet for client confidence, however it additionally alerts the necessity for stricter provider requirements throughout the trade. A complete of roughly 511 confirmed battery fires occurred globally from 2010 to June 2024 (based on EV FireSafe). In Europe, a small contribution is made by larger penetration charges in Norway and the Netherlands.
Battery fires (most frequently as a consequence of thermal runaway) are uncommon in EVs and are principally unrelated to the battery, however they burn hotter and are a lot more durable to extinguish. In Spain, this challenge has develop into one thing of a conundrum for insurance coverage corporations. Provided that many electrical vehicles throughout the nation are usually parked and charged in communal parking heaps within the basements of house buildings, the potential for big insurance coverage payouts is large.