NHTSA Launches Formal Investigation On Chevrolet Volt Batteries Over Fire Risk
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New technology is exciting. Think about when the latest iPhone came out and how many Apple stores across the country were filled with lines out the door consisting of technophiles, hipsters and yes, even journalists. The hype surrounding the launch of the Chevrolet Volt was hardly any different. But with new technology, usually new challenges and new issues aren’t far behind. And now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the flammability of the Volt’s lithium-ion batteries after a crash.
If you recall, a Chevy Volt combusted on NHTSA grounds three weeks after it went through side-impact crash testing. As a result, the NHTSA conducted three additional tests on three Volt batteries, and found all three of them to be different. For instance, the first battery tested didn’t show any probability of catching fire after suffering a crash. The second test battery completely caught fire, while the third emitted sparks and smoke.
So far, the investigations have not lead to any recalls, but the NHTSA has noted that Volts involved in collisions may be at risk of spontaneous combustion.
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So would it be safe to buy a Volt now?
@Vic C’mon man… The investigation only involves Volts that have been in a crash. And as far as I understand it, Volts that have been in a crash AND have been sitting in a dump somewhere for at least a week. Not sure why you think it would not be safe to buy a Volt. Just don’t bring her home after a big accident.
haha I know I was just kidding. But then see, whenever Cars.com crashed their Volt it didn’t even get fired up.
“Think about when the latest iPhone came out and how many Apple stores across the country were filled with lines out the door consisting of technophiles, hipsters and yes, even journalists. The hype surrounding the launch of the Chevrolet Volt was hardly any different.”
Hardly any different? The iPhone 4S sold over 1 million units in a matter of 48 hours. The Volt has so far been unable to break 10,000 sales after almost a year on the market. Just a slight overstatement no?
It doesn’t make me love the Volt any less, but truth be told, an Apple launch is nothing like a launch of a vehicle (GM/Chevy or otherwise).
I think you’re taking that statement far too literally. And considering each Volt was spoken for as it rolled off the assembly line for quite a while, its shows that there was/is plenty of hype and demand. I’m not talking about sales figures here. I’m talking about hype, of which the Volt had a year of before it finally launched.
I take the crash was severe enough that the car was undriveable, The fire started after the accident by that time the car should been at shop with batteries disconnected waiting for a inspection to see car was repairable or should scraped .
I think of all the gasoline I have in my attached garage and I’m scared. Gas for my generator, gas for the lawn mowers, gas in every sort of lawn equipment… This paranoia over electric cars revolves around how people fear unfamiliar territory. No laptop has a liquid-cooled and temperature-controlled battery pack, but Volt does. It’s odd how Leaf and Mistubishi i have escaped this intense scrutiny. Why has NHTSA singled out Volt ( according to press release )?
It makes sense to disconnect the battery pack of an electric vehicle after a catastrophic accident. GM has given protocols to first responders all over the country where Volt is sold and beyond. It’ll take time to educate and equip everyone necessary with the proper tools and knowledge to do this on their own – but now is the silly season for folks to stir up fear over this newly new technology. Electric motors and lead acid batteries were the predominant propulsion choice for cars until the electric starter for ICEs overtook them. Steam-powered cars burnt down many a barn and exploded boilers hurt and maimed many but there were no recalls or hullaballoo not to buy one. Back in those early days nobody claimed BEVs were a hazard.
I think it’s more dangerous when manufacturers have hybrid or EV versions of their current cars. This makes first responders less likely to indentify and evaluate a vehicle in an accident as electric. There are no non-electric variations of Prius. When a Prius is involved in an accident – it’s immediately known to be a car that needs to be treated in a certain manner. In this way the Volt is much safer than other traditional hybrids, Focus EV, Fit EV or Ford’s C-Max Energi PHEV. This should be highlighted and all this fear-mongering over Volt’s catching fire should cease and desist. I can foresee some unknown wannabee like Ralph Nader stabbing Volt in the heart with a book re: Volt-Danger To Society ala: Nader’s book, “Unsafe At Any Speed” which effectively killed the Chevrolet Corvair in the sixties and skyrocketed Nader to national fame.
Sad state of affairs for all of us should this kill the electric car – again. In the movie Who Killed The Electric Car it points out any organism on Earth that has survived for eons has learned to adapt. We all need to adapt to electric transportation or fall to the incredible control crude oil has on all of us.
RECHARGE! ,
James
So is it true that GM is giving out incentives on volt because of the crash?
Letter from President of GM North America Mark Reuss to Chevrolet Volt Owners
Monday, 28 November 2011 11:02 Mark Reuss, President of GM North America
Dear Volt Owner,
You may have seen the recent news articles regarding the NHTSA’s (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) safety investigation of the Chevrolet Volt. I’m writing you today with more details that, I think, will put things in perspective and make you feel better about your Volt.
First and foremost, I want to assure you of one very important thing: the Volt is a safe car. The Volt continues to have a 5 star overall vehicle score for safety in NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. It was also given a Top Safety Pick Award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
There are good reasons the Volt is safe. Our team has put more than one million miles into making the Chevrolet Volt as safe as it is remarkable. After all, our families, neighbors, co-workers and friends are among those who own the cars we’re tasked with designing, engineering and manufacturing.
Here are the facts behind the most recent news articles. In May, the NHTSA ran one of its most severe crash tests at a test facility in Wisconsin. The Volt battery was damaged and the coolant line was ruptured. Three weeks later, an electrical fire involving the test vehicle occurred.
NHSTA, working with GM engineers, has been running a program of severe impact and intrusion tests on Volt battery assemblies as part of its effort to understand and replicate the May 2011 incident. Thanksgiving night, NHTSA told us that one of the batteries tested was involved in an electrical fire similar to the one that took place in Wisconsin. As a result NHTSA has begun a preliminary investigation of Chevrolet Volt battery assemblies.
We are aware of no real world consumer incidents that have produced a similar result. These recent tests show a very rare set of circumstances: A severe impact resulting in the battery and coolant lines being compromised. And then the passing of a significant amount of time before an electrical fire may take place.
The Volt is as safe as conventional vehicles for its occupants – before, during and immediately after a crash. When electrical energy is left in a battery after a severe crash it can be similar to leaving gasoline in a leaking fuel tank after severe damage. It’s important to drain the energy from the battery after a crash that compromises the battery’s integrity. GM and NHTSA’s focus and research continue to be on battery performance, handling, storage and disposal after a crash.
Even though there have been no customer incidents, we’re taking steps to ensure your peace of mind. If you are in any way uncomfortable driving your Volt as a result of this information, we want to make it right. We will provide you a GM vehicle to drive until this issue is resolved. Contact your Volt Advisor to make arrangements or to answer your questions. If you are not aware of your specific Volt Advisor, the contact information is: phone: 877-4-VOLT-INFO (877-486-5846) email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
We take enormous pride in Volt and what it represents—a new era of electric vehicles that can reduce dependence on gas, reduce air pollution, and more. On-going collaboration between the government, manufacturers and other stakeholders will enhance post crash protocols and accelerate acceptance of electric vehicles.
There is nothing more important to us at General Motors than the safety of our customers. We will continue to aid the NHTSA investigation in every way possible.
We stand 100% behind the quality and safety of the Chevrolet Volt – now and always.
Thank you for being a Volt owner. By the way I am also a Volt owner, my daughter drives it every day and she will continue to do so.
So they meant they will offer loaners after the volt crash?
@ Vic – No, ….. GM has offered current Volt owners a loaner car – anything on the lot they choose – to drive until any “risk” of fire danger has been cleared or confirmed by the NHTSA.”Fire Anxiety” as it’s been called, is soooo nonsensical it’s nearly a shame to even comment on it.
Again – no recall has been announced – No Volt owner or his/her property has ever been effected or damaged by a Volt – No Volt has ever crashed and burned in public.
Once again – the NHTSA crash tested a Volts and Volt recieved a BEST 5 STAR rating for frontal, offset side and rear impacts. NHTSA left a Volt they had totalled in a holding lot and it caught fire 3 weeks later. This is what caused the entire flap. That the NHTSA did not depower the battery…This is what caused the investigation. I think the NHTSA should be on trial – not the Volt.
~ James
I just find it funny that people are freaking out that after their Volt being totaled it’s going to explode after that. I think they forgot the fact that the Volt got fired up THREE weeks after the crash test.