Mini Cooper SE: massive recall due to battery fire risk

Since the end of last September, Mini has launched a vast recall campaign for the Mini Cooper SE and Mini Cooper SE Cabriolet electric cars. In question, the insulation of the battery pack which would not be optimal. Thus, in the event of water infiltration, the battery of the Mini Cooper SE and Mini Cooper SE Cabriolet could catch fire, as indicated on the official government website, Consumption reminder :  « The high voltage battery can short circuit, causing the battery to overheat and cause the vehicle to catch fire, even when parked. » In France, more than 21,000 owners of a 100% electric Mini SE, leaving the factory between 2028 and 2024, are affected by this recall campaign.

Of course, thermal cars can catch fire, like electric cars. However, in the event of a fire in the battery pack of an electric vehiclethis can be very dangerous. Indeed, in the event of a fire, the batteries des BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles) rise very high in temperature (thermal runaway) and it takes hours and hours, as well as hundreds of liters of water, so as not to write thousandsto overcome the flames. This is why, Mini do not take any risks by recalling the electric cars Mini Cooper SE (F56) and Mini Cooper SE Convertible (F57) affected by the battery insulation failure.

These are, precisely, the 100% electric modelss responding to references 0061520800 and 0061530800 who will quickly have to go through a dealer again Mini. Of course, the British car manufacturer, owned by BMW Groupcovers the entire cost of modifications relating to the insulation of the high voltage battery.

Since the increase in sales of electric carsin France and elsewhere, the firefighters trained to put out fires. For this, in Francethe “fire soldiers” use Cobra bids ultra-precise and boxes, in which batteries are immersed in waterthese must be handled with care.

Finally, tarps resistant to temperatures up to 1,800 degreesare also regularly tested by firefightersas well as the Dafo automatic thermal runaway extinguishing system linked to the fire of batteries which equip the electric cars.

The editorial staff

Photos: Mini and SDIS 86 (Anthony Boutin)