Mercedes-Benz is potentially facing a growing problem with its EQ lineup as another report of an EQ model exploding raises the spotlight on what could be a dangerous problem for the brand’s lineup of EV vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz is facing a potentially growing problem with two EQ EVs suddenly exploding.
Mercedes-Benz is typically known for making vehicles that are not only luxurious, but also come packed with the latest in advanced technology. This is largely reflected in the EQ lineup of vehicles which are supposed to be the company’s entry into the all-electric vehicle segment. The EQ lineup has seen sluggish sales growth, but the German auto giant is still trying to make EVs a core part of its sales empire.
However, in addition to navigating changing market conditions and the sluggish demand for EVs as a whole, Mecredes-Benz might also have to contend with a problem that is just now making its way to the surface with some of its EQ sedans exploding instead of delivering the sleek all-electric driving experience that they were supposed to do.
Two reports of exploding Mercedes EVs are raising the alarm
The first explosion in August involved an EQE in South Korea but an EQA in the U.K. also exploded.
The issue in question appears to be a fault with the batteries and it has caused two EQ models to explode this year. The first explosion took place in August when an EQE sedan exploded in a parking garage in South Korea. The blast caused 23 people to be hospitalized and it was not known at the time if this was an isolated incident or not. However, it appears that Mercedes-Benz might have a growing problem on its hands with a second EQ vehicle exploding.
This second blast took place in the United Kingdom with owners Scott and Georgina Bayless revealing to the New York Post that they were sitting at home watching TV on the evening of September 30th when they reportedly heard a popping sound. The sound was dismissed as fireworks until a loud bang was heard several moments later with the EQA crossover being discovered fully ablaze. The CUV continued to burn until the blaze was eventually extinguished by the local fire department. Security cameras in the family’s home caught the entire event and how quickly the EQA exploded and became engulfed in flames. The most concerning thing about this incident is that the explosion occurred while the vehicle was parked with the CUV being off for over 10 hours. It also had 28,000 miles on its odometer which is unusually low mileage especially for a problem like this to occur.
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Mercedes is looking into it
The company is looking into the cause of the second blast but it’s not known what exactly lead up to it.
The same New York Post article revealed that the Bayliss family was offered a loaner car but the family’s comments appear to indicate that the company isn’t taking their harrowing account seriously with the family claiming that Mercedes-Benz isn’t taking their concerns seriously. The company later released a statement after the story was picked up by other outlets stating “We were sorry to learn of the incident. After receiving contact from Mr. Bayliss, we took it very seriously and immediately contacted his vehicle insurer to arrange to investigate and examine the vehicle. Until then, please understand that we cannot comment further. In the meantime, we have offered Mr. Bayliss a loan car as a gesture of goodwill.”
It appears that the problem is isolated to international markets with the first explosion being traced to faulty batteries that were supplied by a Chinese battery company. This latest explosion involves a different battery pack and the company is undoubtedly trying to analyze every aspect of the incident to try and find out what caused the EQA in the U.K. to explode. U.S. Mercedes models appear to be unaffected, but reports of exploding EVs are unwelcome news for the company especially as it tries to rectify some of the EQ’s other ongoing challenges and doesn’t need any further problems that could negatively impact the EQ’s reputation among customers especially in certain vehicle markets.
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