Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are recalling almost 150,000 EVs within the U.S. over an electronics challenge which will trigger 12-volt batteries to lose cost whereas driving.
The recall inhabitants contains 98,878 Hyundai and Genesis EVs from mannequin years 2023 and 2024—together with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Genesis GV60, Genesis Electrified GV70, and Genesis Electrified G80—in addition to 48,232 Kia EV6 electrical crossovers from mannequin years 2022 to 2024. That makes 147,110 affected autos in complete. This follows a recall of almost 170,000 Hyundai and Kia EVs in South Korea earlier this month for a similar challenge.
All of those EVs have 12-volt batteries and electrical techniques along with their high-voltage battery packs. In response to the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA), the fault right here lies with a part referred to as the Built-in Charging Management Unit (ICCU), which will be broken and cease charging the 12-volt battery, leading to a lack of drive energy.
2024 Kia EV6 GT
This injury can happen by way of “numerous circumstances equivalent to overcurrent, over-voltage induced on the finish of high-voltage battery charging, and sure thermal loading throughout operation or driving,” in accordance with recall paperwork. If a fault is detected, the automobile will challenge warnings—together with chimes and dashboard lights—to the driving force and enter a “fail-safe” mode during which drive energy is progressively diminished.
Homeowners of affected automobiles can be contacted by the respective manufacturers concerning when to take their automobiles to dealerships, the place the ICCU and its fuse can be inspected and, if essential, changed freed from cost. Sellers will even set up up to date software program for the ICCU geared toward lowering thermal loading and peak voltage. The software program additionally alters the operation of the water pump to additional decrease thermal loading.
2024 Genesis GV60
Automakers have been very gradual to eliminate 12-volt electrical techniques in new autos. One of many few fashions which have made the swap is the Tesla Cybertruck, which fits with 48-volt {hardware}. That is after years of proposals, together with suppliers equivalent to Bosch proposing a vehicle-wide improve to 48 volts as a part of mild-hybrid upgrades.
Contemplating how the E-GMP platform utilized by the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, Genesis GV60, and Kia EV6 contains numerous developments like 800-volt charging, 48-volt electronics are a shocking omission. Curiously, Hyundai launched a brand new resolution that does away with the old-style lead-acid 12-volt battery in a few of its hybrids—however none of its EVs function the answer.