Proposed Recall Notice Issued for LG Lithium Batteries Over Fire Risk Concerns

A battery cell by LG Energy Solution is displayed at the company booth during the InterBattery 2021 exhibition at COEX in Seoul on June 11, 2021. Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images

Australians have been asked to check their solar energy storage systems for unsafe LG solar batteries following a spate of fires.

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has issued a proposed recall notice for LG lithium-ion batteries used in solar energy systems.

The documents note LG batteries are “large and heavy lithium-ion batteries” that form a part of the residential solar energy system, allowing the capture and storage of energy from solar panels.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the recall issue was issued by Mr. Jones following a recommendation from the ACCC.

The notice says the impacted LG batteries may overheat and catch fire, and were supplied to 22 Australian distributors for supply to customers.

“Thermal runaway in the affected LG batteries is caused by lithium-plating in the cells that constitute the batteries due to manufacturing issues that led to defects in the composition and alignment of the electrodes that constitute the cells,” the notice (pdf) says.

“Lithium plating is the build-up of lithium metal in the electrodes within the cells as the batteries charge and discharge causing short circuits.

“As lithium plating continues to build, short circuits increase in size and frequency raising the temperature of the cells until a catastrophic release of heat occurs that propagates through the battery (i.e. thermal runway),  leading to the release of toxic smoke, gasses, and fire.”

The notice specified that LG batteries are manufactured and supplied by LG Energy Solution (LGES), one of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery manufacturers headquartered in South Korea.

It mentions LGES is globally recalling batteries that could overheat and cause a fire with “voluntary product safety recalls” in the United States, UK, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.

The document said 4,950 LG batteries that had been supplied to consumers in Australia had not been located by Jan. 25.

Under the section “risk of injury or death,” the notice said thermal runaway is the “most damaging and potentially catastrophic hazard” linked to lithium-ion batteries.

“Fires arising from lithium-ion batteries undergoing thermal runaway are difficult to extinguish and may spontaneously reignite,” the notice said.

“Fire risk threatens injury or death not just of residents or neighbours of an affected property, but whole communities and regions in the event of bushfire. This is an acute risk across much of Australia, particularly over summer, which we have just entered,” the notice said.

13 Property Incidents Linked to Batteries: ACCC

The ACCC said 13 property damage incidents have been linked to the batteries, including one incident in Victoria where a house was totally destroyed.

ACCC deputy chair, Catriona Lowe, said a proposed recall notice was a “formal step towards a compulsory recall,” highlighting the risk of 5,000 LG solar storage batteries that have not been located.

“We are urging everyone that has a solar energy storage system to check whether they have an affected battery and, if they do and it has not been remediated, to switch it off and contact LG immediately,” Ms. Lowe said.

“Even if you don’t have an LG-branded solar storage system, please still follow our recommended steps to check your battery to protect your home and your family. Some of the affected batteries are installed in systems sold under other brands or in unbranded systems.”

The watchdog said consumers have a right to get a refund, replacement, or software update to fix the problem at no cost.

“The next step is for any suppliers of the affected LG batteries, including LG, to request the ACCC to hold a conference in relation to the proposed issue of a recall notice if they wish to do so,” the ACCC said.

“After any conference, the ACCC must then make a recommendation to the assistant treasurer on whether or not the ACCC recommends he should issue a compulsory recall notice.”

Multiple Fire Incidents Across the Country

Multiple fire agencies have recently issued warnings following fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. These relate to all lithium-ion batteries, not just LG.

In New South Wales, there were at least 165 fires involving lithium-ion batteries as of Dec. 8, 2023. In one instance, a backpacker hostel was evacuated after an e-bike exploded.

Queensland reported 127 lithium-ion batteries in the 2023 financial year, and a further 61 fires as of Dec. 2023.

Insurance group Suncorp issued a warning on lithium-ion battery products in December, noting the spike in house fires.

Executive general manager of home claims, Alli Smith, said most modern devices have rechargeable lithium-ion batteries containing highly flammable electrolytes.

“These batteries, if used, charged, stored or disposed of incorrectly, could be prone to intense, difficult-to-extinguish fires when damaged or overheated and pose a significant risk in the home,” Ms. Smith said.

“What’s particularly concerning is that they can often explode or emit an intense self-sustaining fire that is not easily extinguishable by water or traditional fire extinguishers making the dangers and damage from this type of fire worse.”

New South Wales Fire and Rescue lists lithium-ion battery safety as the “fastest growing fire risk” in the state.

Fire Rescue Victoria also issued a warning on lithium-ion batteries in December, noting they can be found in everything from e-bikes and e-scooters, to toys, power tools, and phones.

“While these products make our lives easier and have many positive environmental and social impacts, they occasionally can and do catch alight, especially if overcharged or not treated properly,” the notice said.