EV startup NIO to recall 4,803 ES8s from June 27

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese EV startup NIO has registered a vehicle recall plan to China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) in accordance with the Provisions on the Administration of the Recall of Defective Auto Products and the Measures for the Implementation of the Regulation on the Administration of the Recall of Defective Auto Products, the EV maker announced on June 27.

From June 27, NIO will recall a total of 4,803 ES8 SUVs that carry the battery packs manufactured between April 2, 2018 and October 19, 2018, the startup said in its plan.

(Photo source: NIO)

Gasgoo previously reported that on May 16, a NIO ES8 caught fire at a residential plot in Anting Town, Shanghai where the startup is headquartered. In the latest announcement, NIO said after the Shanghai burning incident happened, it immediately formed a team of industry experts, the supplier of ES8's battery pack module, as well as other concerned parties to carry out a joint investigation.

The investigation has come to the conclusion that the battery packs in the troubled vehicles were equipped with a module specification NEV-P50, and the voltage sampling cable harness in the module may be pressed by the upper cover of the module due to improper placement. Under some extreme circumstances, the insulation on the extruded voltage sampling wiring harness is likely to wear out, which properly leads to a short circuit.

NIO added that the other ES8s involving battery safety incidents all used the same types of battery pack. 

The EV manufacturer also said it would provide free replacement battery packs for all affected vehicles over the next two months. The battery replacement is scheduled to be completed within the following two months.

CATL, the supplier of the aforesaid NEV-P50 module, also released a statement shortly afterwards, while the expression it used was somewhat different, “after the investigation, it has been found out that a conflict between the battery pack carrier of the vehicles recalled and the module we offered may trigger a short circuit over low voltage sampling cable harness.”

Moreover, the battery supplier added that it will actively cooperate with NIO's recall to protect consumers' rights and interests.