2 Minutes
Geely has started recalling 1,473 Polestar 4 electric vehicles in China after identifying a battery issue that, in rare extreme cases, could lead to thermal runaway. The move affects a specific batch of cars fitted with 86 kWh battery packs, and it lands at a sensitive moment for Polestar’s Chinese operations.
The recall covers vehicles built between November 16, 2023, and May 24, 2024, according to a notice published by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation. The action is set to begin on May 16.
The problem, regulators said, stems from inconsistencies in the manufacturing of certain high-voltage battery components. Over time, those irregularities may cause internal resistance to rise abnormally, which can hurt battery performance. In the worst-case scenario, that could trigger thermal runaway, creating a serious safety risk.
Geely will have Polestar’s sales arm handle the recall, and affected battery modules will be replaced at no cost to owners. Until the repair work is completed, customers are being urged not to charge the battery beyond 70 percent for everyday use. It is a cautious measure, but an understandable one.
The recall comes just months after Geely-backed Zeekr faced a similar problem. In February, Zeekr recalled 38,277 units of the 001 WE edition over the same high-voltage battery thermal runaway concern. That earlier campaign followed a battery quality dispute involving Geely subsidiary Vremt and supplier Sunwoda, which eventually ended in a settlement to share repair costs tied to defective battery packs.
Whether the Polestar 4 case is connected to Sunwoda remains unclear. For now, what matters is that another Geely-linked EV brand is once again dealing with battery integrity, a reminder that even premium electric cars are only as strong as the cells beneath the floor.
Leave a Comment