Researchers sound alarm on Chinese EV batteries after studying them in ‘real-world practice’: ‘Extremely high failure rates’

A European electric vehicle battery repair shop warns that some Chinese packages in popular Tesla models cannot withstand the rigors of use.

What’s going on?

EV Clinic LGES reported that Model 3 and Y vehicles with LG NCM811 batteries from its Nanjing factory “showed extremely high failure rates.” He noted that although cells produced in China are often touted as “the best,” this claim has “never been validated in real-world applications.”

He compared the batteries to American Panasonic NCA packs, which last noticeably longer and even start their life better. EV Clinic said most of the LG models it tested had multiple cell failures that could not be repaired. This occurs over approximately 250,000 kilometers (155,343 miles) of use. Panasonic models had repairable single-cell failures after 400,000 km (248,548 miles).

EV Clinic states, “For reference, a healthy Panasonic cell typically shows ~10 megohms, while a new LG Nanjing cell starts at around 28 mΩ. A faulty Panasonic cell reaches ~28 mΩ, which is what LG cells measure when brand new.”

In a chat on social platform X about the newsUsers wondered if their EVs had “bad” batteries and how many makes and models were affected. The part number in question is 17000012-00-B.

company added He said he tested more than 40 units in three stores and that the “failure rate will increase even more” in the next two years because the first package Tesla produced was a complete “disaster.”

Why is this important?

This is of course unwelcome information for people who own an LG battery EV. can also give potential buyers The pause even though EVs save drivers money by eliminating the cost of gas and reducing maintenance requirements. Even though EVs have battery warranties, no one wants to go to the trouble of replacing such an important component so soon after purchasing a vehicle.

South Korea-based LG also has a history of similar problems. Forced to pay General Motors in 2021 $1.9 billion for faulty batteries In the Chevrolet Bolt. This year, it recalled half a million stoves again due to fire risk.

What is being done about these batteries?

Croatia-based EV Clinic said in its report that the best lithium-ion batteries under the names Panasonic, LG Chem and Samsung SDI are produced in the USA and Europe. It was stated that customers will be able to receive a repair voucher of 1,200 euros ($1,412), while the repair will cost 5,500 euros ($6,473). He recommended replacing a used Panasonic battery as the optimal solution for a defective pack, which cost 8,000 euros ($9,415).

Many people in X approached the institute for details. I’m asking: “How can you drop a bomb like this and not explain with extreme precision which cars are involved (model, version, year and factory)? Every 3/Y long range and performance owner is now worried and doesn’t even know which battery pack they have. Please help us understand.”

Another person pointed out that Chinese batteries bring to mind domestic manufacturers such as CATL and BYD rather than LG. “BYD Blade battery packs were found to be superior in Giga Berlin-made Model Ys” wrote.

Another X user wrote: “People will blame LG when it’s Tesla that deserves the hate. They know exactly what they’re ordering. If Apple’s failure rates or quality were this low, they’d cut it almost immediately.”

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