Recent incidents have led Nikola to recalling an electric truck model and pausing BEV sales temporarily
Zero-emissions truck brand Nikola has globally announced a voluntary recall of 209 Class 8 battery-electric trucks over a battery safety issue.
It has also put a temporary hold on battery electric vehicle sales after providing results of both third-party and internal investigations into a battery pack thermal event on a BEV.
As a precautionary measure, Nikola has recalled the 209 trucks and is currently placing a hold on new BEV sales until the issue is resolved.
Nikola says the actions don’t impact the hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle currently in production as its battery pack has a different design.
An external investigation recently revealed the cause of a truck fire at the company’s headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona on June 23 was most likely a coolant leak inside a single battery pack.
A further minor thermal incident on August 10 at Nikola’s Coolidge, Arizona plant corroborated the findings, with internal investigations supporting the decision to recall the trucks.
Some BEV trucks may remain in operation, but Nikola is encouraging owners to take the vehicles to dealers.
While Nikola’s initial statement on June 23 alluded to foul play as a cause of the incident, but further investigations have ruled out this factor in the incident.