Michigan EV battery maker A123 Systems said it found a “potential safety issue” in up to 50 battery packs it supplied to Calif.-based Fisker Automotive.
David Vieau, chief executive of the Massachusetts-based battery maker A123 Systems, issued a memo, saying many of the lithium-ion battery packs have faulty cooling systems that create safety concerns. Misaligned hose clamps could cause coolant leaks and, potentially, and electronic short circuit, Vieau wote.
The nature of the flaw is similar to the one GM says was behind the battery pack fire in a crash tested Chevy Volt.
A123 said it had developed a fix and expected the glitch to have “minimal financial impact” on the company.
Fisker is ramping up U.S. deliveries of $102,000 Karma plug-in hybrid sedans. Shipments have begun with 225 sent to dealers and 1,200 units “in the pipeline,” Chief Executive Officer Henrik Fisker said in a Dec. 21 interview.
Karma production is now 25 units a day and may rise to 60 a day next year, said Fisker.
