VW Group could recall up to 124,000 electrified cars in poison scare

Up to 124,000 Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche electric and hybrid cars could be recalled after it was discovered that some of their chargers contain the poisonous metal cadmium.

Parent company the Volkswagen Group said it had informed the German transport authority Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) that a number of battery chargers contained the element. The high-voltage chargers came from one specific supplier, Volkswagen said, and the manufacturer’s analysis said the chargers contained 0.008 grams each, used in a specific relay to coat electronic contacts.

“This battery charger was installed in various (not all) electric and hybrid vehicles in the Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche brands between 2013 and June 2018,” said the brand in a statement. “Series production and delivery of the corresponding vehicles were stopped immediately [on discovery], the relay concerned was replaced by one from another supplier and production was resumed.”

The concern isn’t that users may be poisoned by the metal, which can lead to fatal kidney and liver issues if ingested. The metal is contained within a solid housing, which itself is in another solid housing, so there’s little risk of any human exposure.

Rather, the issue is with the disposal of the metal, as it requires specific end-of-life treatment in accordance with Reach (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) EU directives.

The KBA is said to be pushing for the recall, although Volkswagen says it’s currently being clarified. No cars have yet been recalled.