General Motors has announced that production of new batteries for the Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV all-electric vehicles has once again resumed at LG Chem production facilities in Holland and Hazel Park, Michigan. The new battery production follows a recall for all Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV models issued for a manufacturing defect in the vehicles’ battery pack.
In addition to resumed production for Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV battery packs, General Motors also announced that it will install new advanced diagnostics software that will increase the available charging parameters over existing guidance. GM will launch the new diagnostics software in the next 60 days.
“We’re grateful for the patience of owners and dealers as we work to advance solutions to this recall,” said GM executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, Doug Parks. “Resuming battery module production is a first step and we’ll continue to work aggressively with LG to obtain additional battery supply. In addition, we’re optimistic a new advanced diagnostic software will provide more convenience for our customers.”
General Motors anticipates replacement battery modules to begin shipping to dealers by mid-October. GM also said that it is working with LG Chem to review and enhance quality assurance programs, with the battery supplier implementing new manufacturing processes moving forward.
The Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV battery packs affected by the GM recall may include two manufacturing defects, specifically a torn anode and a folded separator, both of which could be present in the same battery cell. These defects are believed to be the cause of several vehicle fires, one of which recently occurred in Georgia.
General Motors will work to replace the affected battery packs with newly manufactured units, prioritizing those vehicles produced during specific timeframes where the defects appear to be clustered. New batteries will include an extended 8-year / 100,000-mile limited warranty (8-year / 160,000 km limited warranty for vehicles in Canada).
General Motors is also set to launch new advanced diagnostic software designed to detect specific abnormalities that may indicate a damaged battery. The software will alert customers to potential anomalies, and prioritize damaged batteries for replacement units. The new software requires dealer installation.
Moving ahead, GM states that customers who follow updated guidance may safely park their vehicle wherever they choose, but recommend leaving “ample space” around the vehicle.
“GM is not aware of any fires that have occurred where customers followed this safety guidance, in parking decks or otherwise,” the automaker states.
The guidance includes limiting vehicle charging to 90 percent capacity using the Target Charge Level mode, charging the vehicle frequently to avoid depletion below 70 miles of remaining charge, parking the vehicle outside immediately after charging, and not charging the vehicle indoors overnight.
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Comments
I’m happy to hear this. I do firmly believe that GM has the best interest of its customers in mind, although that could have ben communicated better, and actions should have been taken sooner. Thanks for stepping up GM, and thanks for working with LG Chem to continue to develop safe batteries that will literally power the world forward.
i agree it totally reminds me of the ignition switch scandal they had the best interest of the customers in mind then to it just took 124 deaths before they decided to do anything about it. But all is well they paid a fine which obviously makes up for the deaths of peoples loved ones.
Let us not forget that the GM that existed before 2009 is a world apart from the gm that exists today, both in quality of product and quality of management.
How do I get downvoted for a comment that isn’t even negative…? Is it because of past comments I’ve made on this forum?
@SonicFan: Don’t worry about it. You have people bringing up the ignition switch thing from how long ago? On top of that, it was proven that heavy items/lanyards/tiny toys/bottle openers, etc were found to be hanging from and attached to many of the keys in those cases. The majority of the cars involved were older with higher miles. The next comment refers to something nearly 14 years ago. Can’t you see how all that applies to your comment?
So I’m being sarcastic because so many of the people on here have lost their minds I think. They are constantly looking for a fight. Or maybe they are tools for Toyota or some other brand and doing what they can to trash talk GM. Your comment was positive and I agree.
Oh god forbid you put a keychain on your car key Jesus how stupid of people to do such a thing. Everyone knows you put a keychain on your car key that means it will shut off the vehicle.
Steve: Your attempt to belittle me is only showing your ignorance. Google it. Research it. Educate yourself before you shoot off at the mouth. Doing so will make you look less desperate while helping you see exactly what the investigators found.
Dan I don’t need to belittle you. You accomplished that yourself with that ridiculous statement you made. The big heavy keychains that just made the car shut off by itself lol. Funny seeing you try to say things that get said to you daily like being desperate 🤣
This is not funny. My brother died after getting caught in one of those invisible boxes mimes use in their act. If he only had a can opener on his key chain he could have used it to get out.
I could still see his white mime face slowly turning blue. While he frantically searched for a door.
Just want to clarify….as I read the response I knew right away the person was talking about 10 lbs of crap on the key chain NOT JUST a key chain. But some people are brain dead. Just one opinion that counts.
10lbs of crap on there keychain? Lol how often do you lie?
Dan, could there be a correlation between those constantly looking for a fight and what has come to be known as “the base”? Never anything positive — just fear and intense anger. The GM key issue reminded me of those who hang all kinds of crap on their mirror. Should engineers take that into account when attaching the mirror to the windshield? Can’t have a cracked windshield, but stuff hanging from mirror is OK?
@SonicFan The haters are always going to hate, even upon good news.
How do you get downvoted? Well let’s see the person clicked the thumbs down that’s how. And if I had to take a guess I would say it’s because they disagree with you. The real question is why do you even care?
@ SonicFan. Because some have nothing better to do and say and mom must have never told em if ya have nothing good to say dont say anything…hahaha.. And if one loathes a product that much move on to the next company I say! …No replies necessary!
Good news, GM really needs this to go smoothly..
Here is a direct link to GM’s media announcement:
https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2021/sep/0920-bolt.html
Really hope they will resume the production of the 3L Duramax engine soon too, we are waiting for our truck…
“production back on track” was the Bolt’s production ever really on a great track to begin with? Sales are and always have been quite dismal. I wish gm would make a b/c segment vehicle that’s actually competitive.
I think the Bolt EV is technically best selling EV from anyone other than Tesla. 150,000 cars.
If it burns down again after this….
They need for this to be the solution . They bet the company on electrics
gm, I am the god of hellfire, burn ,baby, burn!
I’m glad to hears this, it’s good that things are getting back on track. Even if I’m not quite a fan of electrics I do want these to succeed because after all it is gm.
Bolt EUV is what, about 36 with a few options? I wonder if they need to discount it temporarily to drum up interest. 30k and then the Gub-ment 12.5k that might kick it next year? I need to look into it more, but this may be a very affordable entry into EV.
Hmmm.
Battery cells and pack assemblies no longer made by LG-Chem, now LG Energy Solution
They are doing a refreshed 8 year/100,000 mile reset to zero miles upon battery replacement? Good Deal…..
I have to recharge the BOLT EUV to 100% Friday night… Hopefully it will be ok. Going too far this Saturday.
I love it when EV acolytes state that you don’t need a big battery… They don’t drive where I do with no charging stations nor opportunities anywhere.
Bill I pray it won’t burst into flames on you and I mean that.
The number of 2022 Bolt EUV’s that have actually caught fire are either 0 or a low number…. Ironically, I bought this car when having my 2017 Bolt EV checked out – which they do by measuring the voltage between the pouches and mine checked out as ‘absolutely perfect’, less than 1/10th of a volt difference whereas a 1 volt discrepancy was supposedly allowable.
I was going to trade in my 2014 Caddy ELR, since it has almost 90,000 miles on it, but since I don’t pay for insurance on any of my cars, and only 1/2 of the maintenance cost, I was overruled.. Haha ! The 2014 is apparently such a ‘looker’ that I was told only a LYRIQ is good enough to replace it !
So, since trade – in values are high right now, I traded in the 2017 BOLT EV. I would have kept it if I knew 3 weeks later I was going to be in line for a brand new battery free of charge from GM.
Granted, the new 2022 BOLT EUV is somewhat of a question mark, but the precaution I’ll take is to charge it to 100% in the driveway… I DEFFINITELY need all the battery capacity I can get Saturday…. I know they say don’t charge it this much and don’t discharge it to 0%, but unfortunately I don’t have much of a choice, but I don’t think there is much danger either..
But thanks for the concern Alex.
Haha well at least the lyriq is a great looking car. Funny enough as I was reading your comment a commercial for the lyriq just came on. Bill how much does it cost to charge it at your house? Like what does it add to your electric bill if you have a way you can tell?
Sure Alex….. Well my Bolt EUV (2022 – by the way NO FIRES have been reported yet – depending on where you look there have been 10, 11, or 12 worldwide on the ampera-e (bolt ev in europe) and bolt evs from 2017-2022. I know there have been but I couldn’t find a specific fire from a 2020 or newer vehicle – which has the new pouches…. So compared to a Tesla S I feel my vehicle is quite safe, even before the upcoming recall.
I drive a bit conservatively so it says my range is around 300 miles. Lets say it takes 70 kwh from the power company to get 65-66 kwh into the battery… Its 12 cents per kilowatt-hour 24/7/365 including all taxes and fees, in my area (National Grid) so that would work out to $8.40 to recharge the vehicle – giving an EPA 250 miles or 300 miles for me (during the fall with no heat needed)… An equivalent 30 mpg TRAX would use 10 gallons to go the same distance, or $33.00, or $28.00 at an indian reservation.
So, in moderate weather, it is under 1/3rd the fuel cost. I know from other vehicles that the ‘electric heat’ (necessary in my area to see out of the windshield) uses about double the amount of electricity as it does to push the car down the road.. So in the coldest days of winter, the car costs roughly the same as a gasoline powered car for fuel.
Although both gas and electric cars are quite reliable, the routine maintenance is about 60% of what an equivalent gas car would be Alex.. Hope this helps.
Have a safe and enjoyable journey on Saturday.
It’s funny, we both have similar cars…my Bolt is a 2017, and my ELR is a 2016.
I’m looking to replace both with a Lyriq next year.
I’m hoping this is the fix. I saw a Lyric commercial and really like the looks of it. Can’t wait to see it in person. But if they can’t get the battery right, its going to fail at liftoff.
So can you park these ones next to other vehicles? And you cover the damage. Done when they blow up?
I am not seeing the production rate anywhere. Has anyone seen how many batteries are made per month? That will give me, an owner of a recalled 2022 EUV, a guess at how long I will be using a 53kW battery.
I have read that there have been about 13 fires, if that is correct and GM have sold 150K Bolts, that’s about 0.008%, even some Tesla models have had recalls and accidents. It wasn’t GM who were defective, it was the LG batteries and LG accepted responsibility by shelling out 1.9B dollars. My sympathy goes out to those 13 owners, I hope no one was hurt. I hope GM rectify the problem and start production again and their employees can resume work on a great little hatchback.