Core Viewpoint - The recall of 11,411 units of the Li Auto MEGA electric vehicle is expected to cost the company around 2 billion yuan due to a fire incident caused by inadequate corrosion resistance of the coolant used in the vehicle's cooling system [2][3]. Group 1: Incident Overview - A fire incident involving a Li Auto MEGA occurred in Shanghai, leading to significant consumer panic regarding electric vehicle safety [2]. - The company announced a recall for the 2024 MEGA models produced between February 18, 2024, and December 27, 2024, to replace the coolant and address potential battery overheating issues [2][3]. Group 2: Technical Details - The coolant used in the 2024 MEGA is a low-conductivity type, which was intended to meet insulation design requirements but has shown insufficient corrosion resistance compared to traditional coolants [3][7]. - The low-conductivity coolant is a newer solution, costing approximately 10 yuan per liter, and is designed to prevent issues like foaming and stratification that can occur with traditional coolants [8][9]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The incident raises concerns about the validation processes for coolant and cooling system components within the automotive industry, particularly for new energy vehicles [11][12]. - The rapid corrosion of the cooling plates in the MEGA, which typically should last over a decade, has prompted scrutiny of both the vehicle manufacturer and the battery supplier regarding their testing and validation protocols [10][16]. Group 4: Future Considerations - Following the incident, Li Auto has established a dedicated materials laboratory to enhance research in basic materials, fluids, and chemicals, indicating a shift in focus towards the underlying material science in automotive safety [23]. - Other companies using the same battery technology, such as Xiaomi Auto, are also conducting urgent reviews of their cooling systems to prevent similar issues [20].
10元每升的「致命」冷却液,让理想痛失20亿