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Recall for G-Wiz electric cars that could catch fire while recharging
Last updated at 00:52am on 02.11.07Hundreds of electric cars favoured by the stars have been recalled because of a fault which could make them burst into flames. The fault affects 629 of the G-Wiz runabouts - around two-thirds of those sold in Britain since their launch in 2004.
The zero-emission vehicles are favoured by eco-enthusiasts and celebrities such as Jonathan Ross, Jerry Hall and Kristin Scott Thomas.
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Star's car: Kristin Scott Thomas and her G-Wiz car
They are marketed as the ultimate city car as they are exempt from London's £8-a-day congestion charge and eligible for free on-street parking and recharging in some council car parks.
Their safety has, however, been questioned by motoring experts and ministers.
Government research found the G-Wiz failed the sort of crash test conventional family cars and 4x4s must pass to be allowed on the road. And in May, the motoring magazine Top Gear produced spectacular photographs of a G-Wiz disintegrating in a standard crash test.
The mass recall was apparently triggered by an incident involving an overheating battery charger unit in one car, which caused it to burst into flames.
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Nippy runabou: But around 600 G-Wiz cars have been recalled
The Vehicle Operating Standards Authority, which polices safety recalls, said the problem was traced to a heat sensor.
Those recalled will have a replacement heat-sensitive cutout switch and a new fire retardant cover fitted at a service centre in Southall, West London.
The G-Wiz is manufactured in India by the Reva Electric Car Company but is marketed, sold and serviced here by GoinGreen.
GoinGreen claims the car - which retails for £7,299, is exempt from road tax and costs just a penny a mile to run - is the best-selling electric car in the world.
Managing director Keith Johnston said: "The recall was undertaken as a precautionary measure following a single incident of failure, where no one was injured.
"GoinGreen supports the action, which demonstrates the highest level of commitment to safety in electric vehicles."
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Jonathan Ross and his wife Jane have said they are very fond of their G-Wiz
At present, the cars are classed as quadricycles - a category designed for unconventional vehicles not intended for mainstream use. But this, and the criticism from experts, has not damaged their popularity.
Miss Scott Thomas has said: "I love my G-Wiz. It is such fun to drive, easy to park, nippy. Children laugh when I pass by."
Reader views (3)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
I hate sending money to Muslim countries for gas. I cannot wait until someone starts selling a plug in electric or hybrid hatchback here in the US. The smaller the better. I hate the BBC TV auto show High Gear that spends 55 minutes running around in high priced cars, and 3 minutes making fun of economy cars. The year end show supporting the attempt to ban the G-wiz was really the pits. If they were legal here in the US, my second car would be a plug in electric. Until then, I will have to stick to driving my Yaris.
- Ellen, Stow, OH, USA
I wonder which PC moron gave these ridiculous contraptions an authorisation
for road-worthiness.
There are menace to their occupants, other cars and pedestrians alike and should be banned on safety grounds.
- Weddigen, London
Burning glass fibre and boiling battery acid are so environmentally unfriendly, and I'd also hate to be in a G-Wiz in an accident.
- Paul, London
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