NEW YORK — Bloomberg reports that Hyundai will recall 82,000 electric cars globally to replace their batteries. This comes after more than a dozen reports of fires involving the automaker's Kona SUVs. <br /><br />The recall is for vehicles built before April 2020 that use the same LG Chem batteries. <br /><br />Despite the relatively small number of cars involved, this recall is one of the most expensive in history, showing how battery defects could create hefty costs for automakers. <br /><br />The recall will cost Hyundai 900 million US dollars. On a per-vehicle basis, the average cost is 11,000 dollars — which is a very high number for a recall. <br /><br />Replacing an entire battery is an extreme measure, requiring a similar amount of work and expense as replacing an entire engine of a gasoline car. <br /><br />The issue allegedly has to do with the material that separates the battery's cathode and anode. <br /><br />General Motors recently recalled nearly 70,000 Chevy Bolts that also use LG Chem's batteries, after reports of fires. <br /><br />News of the recall comes just one day after Hyundai unveiled its Ioniq 5 crossover SUV, which will not use LG Chem batteries.<br /><br />And in case you were wondering how it looks, here are some pictures of the brand new Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric SUV, which will use a different type of battery.
