North American EV Recalls and Police Fleet Considerations
Hyundai Motor Company has announced a recall affecting about 145,000 electric vehicles in the United States due to a potential power loss while driving. The development was covered by industry outlets after Motor1 reported the move, citing documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall centers on a fault in the onboard charging system that can compromise the vehicle’s electrical architecture. When power can drop unexpectedly, essential systems including propulsion and stability controls may be affected, posing a safety risk for drivers and others on the road.
Investigators identified damage to the onboard charge control unit that could interrupt charging of the 12-volt auxiliary battery. If the 12-volt system fails to charge properly, critical components such as traction control and other electronic systems may shut down without warning, increasing the likelihood of a crash in certain driving conditions. The recall affects IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 models, along with Genesis GV60, GV70, and G80 electric vehicles built from 2022 to 2025.
All required replacements and service for the affected components will be provided at no cost to owners. Hyundai and its authorized service network will handle parts, labor, and inspections to restore the vehicles to full operating condition, ensuring customers face no out-of-pocket expenses for the corrective work.
Meanwhile in California, police agencies reported practical drawbacks with Tesla patrol cars. Officers described difficulties with entering and exiting the vehicles, which can slow response times, and noted that rear seating could be insufficient for certain operations that require more than one unit to be deployed at once.
In addition to these concerns, law enforcement personnel raised questions about the vehicles’ range and the viability of charging a patrol car while a suspect remains inside. Such scenarios raise safety considerations for officers during high-stakes engagements and can affect how quickly a response is mounted in critical moments.
Beyond fleet performance, California has announced a broader policy shift that will phase out the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars beginning in 2035. In parallel, municipal police departments have started to incorporate Tesla Model 3 sedans into local fleets as part of an ongoing transition toward electrification. The August introduction of several Model 3 vehicles for police use reflects this trend, with initial procurement around 150 thousand dollars and subsequent fleet upgrade costs estimated at 35 thousand dollars. These investments illustrate the ongoing reallocation of public safety budgets toward electric mobility and the challenges that accompany that shift.
On a separate note, Rosstandart announced a recall affecting about 1,800 XCite cars in Russia, underscoring how recalls cross borders and involve diverse models in different markets. The broader pattern shows a connected world where safety and compliance efforts span continents, influencing consumer confidence and the pace of electric vehicle adoption in various regions.