May Use SK Batteries instead of Fire-prone LG Products
Hyundai Motor Co. and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MILT) are expected to announce a recall of the three Hyundai electric vehicle models equipped with batteries from LG Energy Solution -- the Kona Electic, the IONIQ Electric and the Elec City bus – on Feb. 19, following an announcement of the results of an investigation into the cause of the Kona EV fires.
Hyundai Motor has decided to replace the battery cells of its three electric vehicle models. Initially, the company considered replacing battery cells for Kona EVs only. But as fires broke out in other electric vehicle models powered by batteries from LG Energy Solution, the carmaker has decided to expand the recall. About 21,000 units of the IONIQ were sold in Korea alone. The carmaker has decided to include its electric bus in the recall as an Elec City bus caught fire on Feb. 15. It sold 263 units of the electric bus. Including the Kona EVs, the total number of vehicles subject to the recall will top 100,000.
Since its launch in 2018, the Kona EV has suffered a total of 15 fires -- 11 in Korea and four overseas. Hyundai Motor is reportedly considering using SK Innovation's batteries instead of those from LG Energy Solution for the recalled vehicles.
If the plan is realized, LG Energy Solution will suffer devastating damage. It will lose the market to a rival company and pay a huge battery replacing cost even after winning a lawsuit against SK Innovation at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on Feb. 10.