Over 10,000 electric vehicle drivers in the UK have been warned not to fully charge their cars for five months due to fears that batteries could catch fire. Following a recall in December, thousands of drivers have yet to have their vehicles fixed.
Volvo EX30 Battery Issue
More than 10,000 Volvo electric vehicle owners have been unable to charge their cars above 70 per cent for months. In December, 10,365 UK owners of EX30 SUVs were told not to charge their cars above this threshold because of a risk that the batteries could overheat and, in rare cases, catch fire. They were also warned not to leave vehicles unattended while charging in garages or under cover due to concerns about escalating temperatures.
Over 40,000 vehicles were thought to be affected by the issue globally, with the Swedish car manufacturer potentially losing millions. This included 10,000 in the UK, according to reports.
Driver Frustration
Many motorists are still waiting for fixes. Volvo stated: "Volvo Cars has identified a potential issue with high-voltage battery cells manufactured by a particular supplier in certain model year 2024–2026 EX30 Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance cars. In rare cases, the battery can overheat when charged to a high level, which could, in a worst-case scenario, lead to a fire."
One driver, Stephen, told the Mail: "This has been a constant inconvenience. We regularly visit the Lake District but are having to charge once - sometimes twice - to complete journeys that we should be able to do in one go. It's become so impractical for longer journeys that we're taking the bus or train instead to avoid the hassle of charging. With the delays in getting the car fixed and the range anxiety I'm suffering, I'm beginning to think I should have bought something else."
A second driver said: "I've received no date or contact from the local dealer about when my EX30 will be repaired. Several journeys have been significantly disrupted by the need to use expensive public chargers far more often than I had originally expected to do so."
"The £200 has all but been used, with no further compensation offered," a third driver added. "This whole experience has sapped any joy I had from owning this car. I'm keen to embrace the EV experience; however, this is testing my resolve, patience and, even more so, my wallet."
Another told the publication: "I hate being ignored. Volvo has had a dismissive attitude from the start. In the old days, when you bought from a dealer, it was a damn sight more straightforward. Now they merely have an agency relationship to sell a quota of cars - and that's all. To be perfectly frank, I find that difficult to come to terms with. When I bought the car, I must admit I was in two minds about going electric. After this experience, I am very tempted to go back to a petrol car. And it won't be a Volvo."
Volvo's Response
A Volvo spokesman said this week: "Volvo Car UK has been working tirelessly to source replacement parts from around the world. These are now beginning to arrive in the UK, with repairs well underway. Availability will initially be limited, but we expect the repair rate to increase in the coming weeks. Retailers will contact customers as soon as parts are available. Safety is a top priority for Volvo Cars, and we are taking this issue extremely seriously. We appreciate customers' patience and understanding."
