FRSC ‘Bans’ Opel Ampera-e EV On Nigerian Roads Due To Battery Problems That May Cause Fire

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) bans Opel Ampera-e all-electric vehicle on Nigerian roads due to battery problems that may cause fire.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has alerted Nigerians on the withdrawal of about 10,000 Opel Ampera-e all-electric vehicles by its manufacturer, Frankfurt-Opel.

A statement by FRSC indicated that the vehicles, built between 27 June, 2016, and 5 September 2019, were withdrawn because of their battery-related problems. It added that these vehicles posed a safety risk to drivers as well as passengers.

Part of the statement read :

“The European Union Rapid Alert System, for dangerous non-food products on 10th March, 2021, recalled Opel’s Ampera E motor vehicles manufactured between 27 June, 2016 and 5 September, 2019, due to the high voltage of battery which may fail at full charging capacity and thereby, increase risk of fire incidence.

“Considering the prevalence of Opel motor vehicles in Nigeria, it is advisable that you draw the attention of the motoring public and dealers to this development”.

“Consequent upon the imminent danger this manufacturing error could cause to both the users of this vehicles and other road users, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, hereby draws the attention of dealers and users of these vehicles to desist from further sales or usage of such vehicles on Nigerian roads and contact the manufacturers for correction of the unravelled defect.

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FRSC ‘bans’ Opel Ampera-e EV on Nigerian roads due to battery problems that may cause fire

“To ascertain strict compliance by those affected, Commanding Officers have been directed to ensure that patrol operatives stop such vehicles from continuing their trip anywhere they are sighted on the nation’s highways. This is to ensure that the impending danger the continued use of the vehicle could cause is swiftly avoided to make room for safe travels.”

Fire Risk

Last year, Opel recalled all the Ampera-e EVs that it has sold to date to fix a battery problem that could pose a safety risk to drivers.

The decision comes after Opel’s former parent, GM, which built the Ampera-e as Chevrolet Bolts in the U.S., told Opel that the battery pack can under certain conditions begin to smoke, melt or catch fire.

GM has already said it will recall 50,932 Chevrolet Bolts, the Ampera-e’s sister model. This is because they can catch fire even if they are turned off, parked and disconnected from the power grid.

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