Ford issued a recall discover for 18 F-150 Lightning pickup vehicles with faulty battery cells, which precipitated a minimum of one truck to catch fireplace. The automaker will restart manufacturing of the electrical truck on Monday, March thirteenth, with a “clear inventory” of battery packs, after a four-week pause of manufacturing and cargo to research the reason for the defect.
Ford mentioned the “root trigger” of the difficulty was at South Korean battery provider SK On’s manufacturing facility in Georgia. In a press release, spokesperson Emma Bergg mentioned that the corporate was not conscious of any stories of accident or harm associated to this recall.
“Along with SK On, we’ve got confirmed the basis causes and have carried out high quality actions,” Bergg mentioned. “Manufacturing is on observe to renew Monday with clear inventory of battery packs.”
“Along with SK On, we’ve got confirmed the basis causes and have carried out high quality actions.”
The affected autos are both on supplier heaps or in buyer fingers, Bergg confirmed. The automaker has been in shut contact with the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration, which is anticipated to publish the recall discover subsequent week.
Battery fires, whereas uncommon, stay a severe concern for EV makers. Extra knowledge is required, however researchers have decided that the overwhelming majority of EVs are at low threat for battery fires. Although, when fires do happen, EVs with lithium-ion batteries burn hotter, sooner, and require extra water to extinguish — a undeniable fact that has led some cities to retrain their emergency responders for when such incidents happen.
Probably the most severe incident concerned the Chevy Bolt, which was recalled after GM reported a minimum of 19 battery fires on account of faulty cells from the provider LG. The automaker was compelled to quickly shut down manufacturing after a software program repair failed to stop a number of extra fires. Chevy resumed manufacturing final yr after putting in new battery packs.