A2Z EV has announced a voluntary recall of its original NACS to CCS1 adapter, referred to as Typhoon/V1, following a cease-and-desist notice from Tesla.
According to the Montreal-based company, the Typhoon adapter has safely and efficiently supported hundreds of thousands of miles of charging sessions without any reported safety incidents. However, on June 17, 2024, Tesla formally requested that A2Z EV halt sales of the adapter, citing potential safety concerns. While A2Z EV presented over 160 engineering documents to validate the adapter’s safety, Tesla continued to request a recall through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The voluntary recall, which the company tells us will be posted to the NHTSA website on Friday, focuses on early Typhoon adapter units, designed before more recently publicized standards. Tesla’s concern centers on two specific issues. The first is the adapter’s locking mechanism. A2ZEV says that over time, these adapters may experience a reduction in the locking force of the adapter’s mechanism. This will only happen after repeated use far beyond the typical consumer’s use, around 10,000 insertions and withdrawals of the adapter.
The second is for its potential to exceed temperature thresholds under sustained high-amperage charging. In these settings (500 amps and 480 volts or higher), the adapter may exceed the updated maximum surface temperature standards after an hour of use, potentially resulting in a reduced charging power.
Although A2Z EV stands by the V1 adapter’s safety, it chose to prioritize customer trust and industry relationships, opting to comply with Tesla’s request and proceed with a voluntary recall.
As a result, eligible customers will soon be able to upgrade to the new Typhoon Pro (V2) adapter, which addresses Tesla’s concerns with improvements to the locking mechanism and ensures compliance with the latest safety standards regarding heat dissipation.
A2Z EV’s exchange program is available to customers who purchased the original V1 adapter between November 16, 2023, and June 20, 2024, and who have the original model with a slider lock that has not yet been upgraded to V2. Eligible customers will receive information directly from the company soon regarding the exchange, allowing them to return their V1 adapters for the improved Typhoon Pro (V2) models. A2Z EV will cover all associated costs with the recall.
