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Ford Hybrid Problem 'Couldn't Have Happened At A Worse Time'
Susan Edmunds, Money Correspondent
An owner of a Ford hybrid vehicle that has had a problem identified with its battery says it could not have happened at a worse time.
Ford said it had written to the owners of some Escape PHEVs regarding a battery issue that could create a fire hazard, if they were fully charged.
"A manufacturing defect in one or more of the vehicle's high voltage battery cells may cause the cell to develop an internal short circuit. Ford globally has had no incidents reported and the batteries we've checked, again globally, less than one percent have shown it to even be a potential issue.
"In NZ, we've had no known incidents and no batteries have yet been found to have the issue in question.
"However, as an added safety precaution, Ford has asked customers to limit the charging to 80 percent and drive in auto EV mode only. This is not a 'stop drive' issue.
"Ford is investigating a permanent solution and will be in contact again with customers asap."
Brian Holmes said it was very inconvenient to be told his vehicle could "burst into flames", when he wanted to rely on the battery more than ever.
He told Ford that, given the fuel crisis and the increasing uncertainty of the future price of petrol, the need to avoid using the full value of the plug-in hybrid could not have come at a worse time.
He had asked for compensation, but was told that a decision had not yet been made about whether that was possible.
"They don't have a technical fix and have stonewalled my enquiry about compensation."
Interest in electric vehicles has increased significantly since war broke out in the Middle East, pushing up oil prices.
Earlier, Westpac New Zealand managing director of institutional and business banking Reuben Tucker told RNZ demand for electric vehicles through the bank's greater choices home loan top up and other loans for electric vehicles had soared.
"In the last two weeks, the number of applications for EVs through these products has roughly doubled," he said.
RNZ
New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
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