Tesla is recalling Powerwall 2 batteries over fire risk

Tesla has announced a recall of its Powerwall 2 home battery units in Australia following reports of fire incidents that caused minor property damage. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has confirmed that the recall impacts an undisclosed number of Powerwall 2 units manufactured in the United States and sold between November 2020 and June 2022. The batteries in question were sourced from an unnamed third-party supplier. Fortunately, the ACCC has reported that there have been no injuries linked to these fire incidents. The Powerwall 2 units, which feature 14 kWh of lithium-ion batteries, are typically installed alongside solar panels to store surplus energy created during the day. Additionally, customers have the option to enroll their batteries in a virtual power plant program, which can assist the grid during peak demand times. Participating in this program also extends the warranty to a maximum of 15 years and allows users to benefit from time-of-use rates that can help lower energy costs. Affected homeowners will receive notifications through the Tesla app if their Powerwall unit is included in the recall. To mitigate fire risks, Tesla is currently in the process of discharging the batteries. The company has assured customers that recalled units will be replaced at no cost, and compensation for any lost energy savings will be evaluated on an individual basis, as stated by the ACCC.