Volkswagen recalls thousands of electric cars in Germany over battery fire risk

Volkswagen AG announced on Monday that it is recalling a further batch of electric cars in Germany after a Euronews investigation identified a risk that defective high‑voltage batteries could, in rare cases, ignite. The recall covers several thousand vehicles across multiple models, with the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) notified of the safety issue. Owners will be contacted to arrange free inspections and battery replacements, the broadcaster reported. The move triggers the EU's coordinated recall mechanism under the General Product Safety Directive and aligns with the European Commission’s newly‑adopted Battery Directive, which mandates stricter safety testing and traceability for automotive batteries across the single market. Cross‑border dealers in neighbouring countries are also expected to monitor the situation, as EV components are sourced from a pan‑European supply chain and any failure can affect the broader market. For consumers, the recall may mean temporary loss of mobility and potential costs if the repair exceeds the warranty period, though Volkswagen has pledged to cover all expenses. The episode adds pressure on manufacturers to tighten quality controls ahead of the EU’s 2027 deadline for full compliance with the Battery Directive. The KBA is set to publish a final recall report by the end of November, and the European Commission will review the incident in its next automotive safety forum in March 2027.

Source: Euronews. Read the original report ↗