Ford recollects over a dozen F-150 Lightnings after battery hearth, will restart manufacturing Monday

Ford issued a recall discover for 18 F-150 Lightning pickup vans with faulty battery cells, which precipitated at the very least one truck to catch hearth. 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 stated the “root trigger” of the difficulty was at South Korean battery provider SK On’s manufacturing unit in Georgia. In an announcement, spokesperson Emma Bergg stated that the corporate was not conscious of any experiences of accident or harm associated to this recall. 

“Along with SK On, we’ve confirmed the foundation causes and have applied high quality actions,” Bergg stated. “Manufacturing is on observe to renew Monday with clear inventory of battery packs.”

The affected automobiles are both on seller heaps or in buyer arms, Bergg confirmed. The automaker has been in shut contact with the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration, which is predicted to publish the recall discover subsequent week.

Battery fires, whereas uncommon, stay a critical 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 incontrovertible fact that has led some cities to retrain their emergency responders for when such incidents happen.

Probably the most critical incident concerned the Chevy Bolt, which was recalled after GM reported at the very least 19 battery fires on account of faulty cells from the provider LG. The automaker was pressured to quickly shut down manufacturing after a software program repair failed to forestall a number of extra fires. Chevy resumed manufacturing final yr after putting in new battery packs.