Sudden lack of energy generally is a terrifying expertise behind the wheel, particularly in the event you’re cruising at pace on the freeway. Sure examples of 2022 and 2023 Lucid Air EVs are vulnerable to this concern, spawning a serious recall by the startup automaker.
In accordance with the NHTSA report, the problem issues the car’s major contactor. That is an electronically activated change that’s accountable for connecting the primary traction battery to the remainder of the car. When the EV is began, energy from the 12v battery energizes an electromagnet within the contactor, which closes a change connecting the high-voltage traction battery to the motor controller and different car techniques. When the car is switched off, the contactor’s electromagnet is de-energized and a spring returns it to an open place. The issue is that if the contactor switches off unexpectedly whereas driving, the car’s motors will lose energy.
The matter first got here to Lucid’s consideration after a car was offered to its service heart in Might 2022 with a lack of energy situation. The Lucid Air makes use of contactors manufactured by Sensata Applied sciences in automobiles from the 2022 and 2023 mannequin years. Investigation revealed that the contactors have been manufactured with a spring that was too robust for the contactor’s magnetic subject. Thus, beneath sure situations, the contactor would snap again to its open place unexpectedly, reducing energy from the battery to the motors.
Lucid has used an over-the-air replace to research the prevalence of the issue in its automobiles. The corporate decided that affected contactors would exhibit a “double-dip” in present movement once they have been first energized, because the magnetic subject fought to shut the change towards the excessively-strong spring. Ideally, the contactor ought to make a clear connection in a single motion, and exhibit a single dip in present movement on connection. Automobiles that exhibit this habits greater than 5% of the time are thought-about at excessive threat of sudden contactor cut-out and shall be recalled.
To this point, the corporate has recognized 273 automobiles fitted with at-risk contactors. An additional 336 automobiles constructed by Lucid have not had the OTA replace required to diagnose the problem. On this case, Lucid expects that roughly 20 extra automobiles could also be fitted with contactors in want of alternative. Total, the corporate considers {that a} full 637 automobiles may very well be affected, however estimates simply 6% of that inhabitants will really be faulty.
The repair entails changing the faulty contactors with a brand new half. The alternative components have been redesigned with a stronger magnetic subject to counteract the energy of the spring. They’ve additionally been examined by Lucid to exhibit the suitable single-dip present signature on closing.
Going ahead, Lucid is reaching out to house owners of the 237 affected automobiles by mail to rearrange a no-cost restore. For house owners of automobiles which have but to be up to date to research their standing, they are going to be notified to rearrange a software program replace. From there, their automobiles shall be assessed as to their want for a contactor alternative.
A sudden lack of drive is at greatest, regarding, and at worst, a dire hazard on the street. Lucid’s recall ought to repair the problem briefly order. Within the meantime, house owners ought to search the most recent software program updates accessible and confirm with their supplier that their automotive is just not topic to this concern.
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