WardsAuto Podcast: Getting Hold of EV Recalls with Voltaiq CTO Eli Leland

In recent years, significant recalls have occurred due to defective battery cells in both electric vehicles and cellphones.

Hyundai recalled over 76,000 Kona EVs worldwide due to defective battery cells supplied by LG Energy Solution, which posed a fire risk. This recall was significant because it also prompted General Motors to recall nearly 142,000 Chevrolet Bolt EVs for a similar issue.

Battery defects significantly delay production schedules. For example, Tesla has faced delays in scaling up production of its 4680 battery cells due to technical challenges with electrode coating, resulting in postponed timelines for vehicles dependent on these batteries, such as the Tesla Semi and Cybertruck.

Even small manufacturing defects, such as irregular electrode coatings or separator film imperfections, can lead to severe consequences such as fires or diminished battery performance. Companies are increasingly focusing on real-time monitoring systems to detect these issues early, as even slight inconsistencies in the assembly process can compromise the safety and reliability of batteries.

That’s where Voltaiq comes in. The company is out to make finding defects before they leave the factory easier and more efficient, and before they cause human or financial tragedy. CTO Eli Leland discusses the state of play with cell quality and emerging cell tech with WardsAuto.