Volkswagen EV Chargers Tainted With Cadmium

Thought mercury in CFLs was bad? 124,000 EV and plug-in chargers were found to contain cadmium, a highly carcinogenic metal that causes metal fume fever, chemical pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, and death. Fun!

124,000 Volkswagen electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles apparently shipped with aftermarket chargers that include cadmium. The heavy metal faux pas – the greatest phrase in the history of ever – only effects the European market, and drivers are safe, but cadmium creates a very serious e-waste problem. As CNET points out, even 0.008 grams of the stuff – the amount found in the chargers – is enough to cause severe health issues.

Cadmium is so nasty that it’s been classified (and banned for most purposes) under the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS), which includes substances like lead, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, and of course, mercury. Not good company to be in.

Volkswagen claims no advance knowledge of the tainted chargers, but they may have to initiate a mass recall.

"Clarification is under way for a recall order by Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority," claimed the Wolfsburg-based automaker. The recall would include the e-Golf, e-Up, Golf GTE, and Passat GTE.

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