A Charge Limit for Safety: South Africa’s Top-Selling EV Volvo EX30 Recalled

South African owners of the country’s best-selling electric vehicle in 2024, the Volvo EX30, have been issued an urgent safety recall. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has announced a recall of 372 units of the popular SUV due to a potential issue with its high-voltage battery that could pose a fire risk.

The recall affects specific 2024–2026 model year EX30 Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance vehicles. According to the NCC, “in rare cases, the battery may overheat when charged to a high level, which could potentially result in a thermal event.”

Immediate Action Required: Cap Your Charge at 70%

While Volvo emphasises the issue is very rareaffecting roughly 0.2% of identified cars with no incidents reported in South Africathe precaution is serious. Owners of affected vehicles are instructed to immediately limit their car’s maximum charge level to 70% until a permanent repair is available.

Volvo has provided simple steps for owners to adjust this setting via the car’s touchscreen and will contact them directly to schedule the no-cost fix at authorised dealerships.

A Setback for a Market Leader

The timing is sensitive for Volvo. The EX30 was a runaway success in its launch year, with 406 units sold in 2024, capturing over 32% of South Africa’s total EV marketoutselling its nearest rival, the BMW iX3, by nearly double. Launched with a competitive price tag starting under R800,000, it was praised for bringing premium performance and tech to a more accessible level.

This recall introduces a note of caution into the burgeoning local EV scene, which is seeing increased competition from brands like BYD, which offers the most affordable EV in the country, the Dolphin Surf, from R339,900.

For now, the message to EX30 owners is clear: safety first. Adhere to the 70% charge limit and await instruction from Volvo. The recall is a proactive, if inconvenient, step to ensure the safety of drivers and maintain confidence in a model that has quickly become a flagship for South Africa’s electric transition. The brand’s reputation now hinges on a swift, transparent, and effective resolution.

{Source: Mybroadband}

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