China EVs Recalled In Australia Over Electrocution Risks

While electric vehicles from China have yet to flood the US market, American automakers are already worried about how they'll compete on cost once they do.

Great Wall China, one of the emerging EV makers in China that's now expanding abroad, recently issued a recall in Australia for an inexpensive 2023 model called the Ora, as a notice on an Australian government website reveals. I Photo: Great Wall Motors

Chinese EV brands have entered other markets, including Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia, and New Zealand, as reported by Steve Mollman for Fortune.

However, it hasn't always gone smoothly. Great Wall China, one of the emerging EV makers in China that's now expanding abroad, recently issued a recall in Australia for an inexpensive 2023 model called the Ora, as a notice on an Australian government website reveals.

The notice states, "Due to a programming issue if the operator removes the charging cable without canceling the charge, an electrical arc between the charging plug and the vehicle may occur."

How serious is the risk from this "electrical arc" or electrocution? Quite serious, it appears. "If an electrical arc comes into contact with the operator or bystanders, it will increase the risk of serious injury or death," the notice continues.

Ora owners will be notified in writing and asked to bring their vehicle to a dealership, which will fix the issue for free with a software update.

The recall notice applies to 1,659 vehicles sold in Australia, and a recall is also affecting New Zealand, with about 520 vehicles affected there, according to a GWC national sales manager who spoke to EVs & Beyond.

WEEKLY FEATURE : Jose Mari Chan And The Christmas Anthem