Volvo Initiates Global Recall of EX30 Over Sunwoda Battery Safety Concerns

Volvo Car Group, a subsidiary of China's Geely Holding, has launched a global recall of select EX30 electric vehicles due to potential safety issues with high-voltage batteries supplied by Chinese manufacturer Sunwoda Electronic.

The action follows closely after Geely subsidiary Viridi E-Mobility Technology filed a major lawsuit against Sunwoda alleging battery quality defects.

According to automotive media reports, Volvo has identified 10,440 EX30 units in the UK as affected, forming part of a larger group of 33,777 vehicles produced with Sunwoda cells.

Approximately 0.02% of these cells are reported to have overheated, raising fire risks. The matter gained urgency following a complete vehicle fire at a dealership in Maceio, Brazil, in November 2025, which required extensive firefighting efforts.

Volvo has issued urgent advisories to owners in markets including the UK, US, Australia, and South Africa, recommending that charging be limited to 70% capacity as a precautionary measure until a full recall remedy is implemented. However, no such recall has been issued by Volvo India at the time of filing this story.

In South Africa, the National Consumer Commission has mandated a recall for 372 units of 2024-2026 model year EX30 variants, citing rare overheating risks during high-level charging that could lead to thermal runaway.

On December 26, 2025, Viridi sought 2.31 billion yuan (approximately $323 million) in damages from Sunwoda for alleged defects in cells supplied between June 2021 and December 2023.

Separately, Geely's Zeekr brand encountered customer complaints with Sunwoda-equipped models regarding reduced charging speeds and inaccurate range estimates, prompting a costly Winter Care Campaign involving inspections and replacements.

Volvo, renowned for its safety focus, now faces reputational challenges as owners express concerns over reduced range from the charging limit. The company has described reported incidents as very low and risks as rare.

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