FRSC suspends sale, use of faulty Opel Ampera e-vehicles in Nigeria

The Federal Road Safety Corps has banned the sale and use of Opel Ampera-e vehicles manufactured between June 27, 2016 and September 5, 2019 due to battery problems said to pose a safety risk to drivers.

It stated this following a recall announcement by Frankfurt-Opel, maker of Ampera-E-EVs vehicles, of an estimated 10,000 of the Ampera-e vehicles built during the period.

A statement by the FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, said the notice was issued as part of its statutory responsibility of enlightening the public on safe road use and in furthering the realisation of the United Nations resolution on Safe System approach, with particular emphasis on safe vehicles.

“This information is conveyed in compliance with the directive issued by the Federal Government, mandating FRSC and other key agencies to activate as a matter of urgency, speedy processes for robust public sensitisation on the inherent danger that could arise from continued use of the vehicles.”

It quoted the directive as saying, “I wish to draw your attention to a report which indicated that the European Union Rapid Alert System (RAPEX), for dangerous non-food products on 10th March, 2021, recalled Opel’s Ampera E motor vehicles manufactured between 27 June, 2016 and 5 September, 2019, due to the high voltage of battery which may fail at full charging capacity and thereby, increase risk of fire incidence.

“Considering the prevalence of Opel motor vehicles in Nigeria, it is advisable that you draw the attention of the motoring public and dealers to this development.”

It stated that based on the imminent danger this manufacturing error could cause to both the users of this vehicles and other road users,

Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, asked “dealers and users of these vehicles to desist from further sale or usage of such vehicles on Nigerian roads and contact the manufacturers for correction of the unravelled defect.”

The FRSC boss directed all corps commanding Officers to ensure that patrol operatives stop such vehicles from continuing their trips anywhere they are sighted on the nation’s highways.

“This is to ensure that the impending danger the continued use of the vehicle could cause is swiftly avoided to make room for safe travels,” the statement added.

Members of the motoring public were also urged to report any of such vehicles to the FRSC office or via their contact numbers.