Shenzhen Damaite Technology Co., Ltd., a battery supplier for Ford's F-150 Lightning electric trucks, is under scrutiny after Ford recalled 18 Lightning trucks due to a battery defect causing vehicle fires. The auto maker has claimed that the root cause of the fires is tied to the battery-cell factory of Shenzhen Damaite Technology Co., Ltd.
Shenzhen Damaite Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise with over fifteen years of experience in the research and development, manufacturing, and sales of various products, including notebook batteries, notebook adapters, power tools, power tool chargers, and others. Each of these products comes with a one-year warranty, but it remains unclear whether the battery supplier will bear any financial responsibility for the vehicle fires.
The recall of the 18 F-150 Lightning EV trucks is a significant setback for Ford, which has invested heavily in the development of electric vehicles. The auto maker is not the only one facing such a problem. It's worth noting that recently, Hyundai Motor Co. ordered the recall of its Kona electric cars globally after reports of battery fires. Li Auto, another Chinese electric vehicle (EV) start-up, also announced to recall 10,469 Li ONE electric SUVs due to battery defects in China.
Automakers are increasingly relying on Chinese battery manufacturers for the development of EVs, given the country's low-cost battery manufacturing capabilities. China is a major supplier of batteries globally, accounting for around 80% of the world's lithium-ion cell production.
Battery safety and reliability remain a crucial factor for the widespread adoption of EVs. The rising number of EVs on the road also means the risk of battery fires and other safety issues will grow. Automakers and battery suppliers can collaborate to ensure safety through more rigorous testing, monitoring, and safety protocols. In this way, they can build consumer confidence and expedite the adoption of EVs.