Three months after Volvo admitted they had a battery problem. After pulling more than 40, 000 EX30s off the market. The fire happened anyway.
Thailand is suing.
The Office of the Consumer Protection Board met with Volvo officials this week. Not to chat. To address two fires involving their new electric crossover. The first one hit in late March. Bangkok heat. Then May 15. An owner plugged their car in at home. Normal procedure. It caught fire. Then a Ford Ranger next door caught fire too. The building took damage.
Recalls don’t work if the fix is late. That is the core issue.
Volvo issued the recall back in February. They warned everyone not to charge past 70%. A temporary rule. Both Thais ignored it or couldn’t help themselves. Their batteries went over that limit. Then they exploded. Authorities aren’t buying that explanation as the only problem. They filed a civil suit. They want money for damages and refunds for owners.
Here is the logistical nightmare. 1,668 cars in Thailand need new batteries. Volvo claims the replacements just arrived from China. Installation starts May 22. It took three months for the parts to show up. The consumer board wants to know how Volvo intends to compensate people for months of unusable cars.
Do you trust a brand that makes you wait 90 days to fix a fire hazard?
The owners don’t want new batteries. At least not according to Tanchanok NowsuWAN who talked to Reuters. She says most folks just want a refund. A full one. Whether it’s the single motor version or the twin motor beast. They want out.
Volvo Thailand said the swap takes about three days. Good luck with that timeline given the backlog.
The fires stopped the narrative about sustainable future tech cold. Now there is just ash. And lawyers. And maybe a very damaged Ranger.
