Volkswagen says it may be forced to recall 124,000 electric and hybrid vehicles after traces of toxic heavy metal cadmium were reported in a charger.
The carcinogenic metal is banned for use in most car parts.
An unnamed supplier had reportedly not indicated cadmium had been used in the chargers it supplied for installation in battery-electric and hybrid vehicles made under Volkswagen and its Audi and Porsche brands between 2013 and June 2018.
Cadmium traces were detected by Volkswagen on July 20, with each charger containing 0.008 grams of cadmium.
Volkswagen immediately stopped production and delivery of vehicles concerned and informed Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), overseas reports say.
“Clarification is under way for a recall order by Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority,” a Volkswagen spokesman says.
The cadmium is reportedly in a relay inside a solid housing within the charger, and the company says drivers are not at risk of exposure.
It could, however, present a risk to technicians who may come into contact with the part.
Production has resumed with cadmium-free chargers being sourced from another supplier.
No electric VWs are available in Australia, so consumers there are unaffected by the recall possibility, RenewEconomy reports.
