Battery issues prompt recall of Zeekr 001 in China

According to China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the electric vehicle manufacturer will recall a total of 38,277 units of the Zeekr 001 WE Edition from 6 March 2026. These vehicles were produced between 8 July 2021 and 18 March 2024.The recall follows concerns that prolonged use may cause an abnormal increase in the internal resistance of the high-voltage battery. This could lead to reduced battery performance and, in extreme cases, thermal runaway of the traction battery, posing safety risks.Thermal runaway occurs when a battery cell becomes excessively hot due to defects, overheating, internal damage, or manufacturing flaws. This triggers increasingly rapid and exothermic (heat-releasing) internal chemical reactions. The heat generated can affect neighbouring cells, endangering the entire battery pack. In severe cases, this may result in fire or explosion.As part of the recall, Zeekr will inspect or remotely diagnose the affected vehicles. For vehicles whose batteries have not yet been replaced, the company will provide a free replacement to eliminate safety risks.According to Zeekr, its cloud-based monitoring system detected unexpected capacity degradation in certain older Zeekr 001 WE Edition models equipped with an 86 kWh battery. However, the company did not provide further details. Zeekr stated that this recall is being initiated proactively to ensure driving safety.Units of the Zeekr 001 delivered in Europe are not affected by this defect. Only the version with a 100 kWh battery using NMC cell chemistry was supplied to the continent, unlike the 86 kWh battery subject to this recall.cnevpost.com, carnewschina.com