Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GM launches ad campaign touting Chevy Volt safety [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/gm-launches-ad-campaign-touting-chevy-volt-safety-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/gm-launches-ad-campaign-touting-chevy-volt-safety-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/gm-launches-ad-campaign-touting-chevy-volt-safety-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

gm ceo akerson with chevy volt

General Motors has launched an advertising campaign touting the safety of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in electric vehicle, just as its CEO testified to Congress that a recent Volt fire that took place after a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash test would never occur under real-world circumstances, Bloomberg has reported.

GM CEO Dan Akerson (pictured) said in the campaign that he "couldn't be prouder" of the technology the company uses to produce the Volt, the wire service noted. The campaign includes full-page ads in 19 U.S. daily newspapers, including the The New York Times, as well as a television ad that will debut on News Corp's Fox News channel. GM has also released a new "normal" ad that calls the Volt "the car America had to build." You can watch the 30-second clip, which may appear in or around the Super Bowl, after the jump.

Akerson spoke Wednesday in a hearing with the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus Oversight and Government Spending. Both he and NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said the car was safe and defended NHTSA's handling of the situation against accusations from some Republican members of Congress who've been critical of the Obama Administration and its relationship with GM.

NHTSA said late last week that it finished its two-month investigation into the crash test that resulted in a fire three weeks after the fact last summer, and concluded that neither the Volt nor other electric vehicles pose more of a fire risk than conventional vehicles.

Continue reading GM launches ad campaign touting Chevy Volt safety [w/video]

GM launches ad campaign touting Chevy Volt safety [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 chevrolet voltakersoncampaignchevroletcongressdan akersonfirehamtramcksafetyvoltvolt advertisingvolt commercialvolt fireFri, 27 Jan 2012 11:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20157772/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/27/gm-launches-ad-campaign-touting-chevy-volt-safety-w-video/20157772/article-detail.xml 20157772 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volthearing_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volthearing.jpg <![CDATA[GM CEO stands up for Chevy Volt in D.C. hearing; Issa tells NHTSA: "I don't believe you"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/25/gm-ceo-stands-up-for-chevy-volt-in-dc-hearing-issa-tells-nhtsa/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/25/gm-ceo-stands-up-for-chevy-volt-in-dc-hearing-issa-tells-nhtsa/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/25/gm-ceo-stands-up-for-chevy-volt-in-dc-hearing-issa-tells-nhtsa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



What a surprise. Today's Congressional hearing over the Chevrolet Volt fire and the resulting investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration turned out to be contentious.

The hearing took place in the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus Oversight and Government Spending. Just from the title of the event - "Volt Vehicle Fire: What did NHTSA Know and When Did They Know It?" - it was plain to see that chairman Darrell Issa was not looking to mess around. Issa had General Motors CEO Dan Akerson, NHTSA Administrator David Strickland and John German (Senior Fellow and Program Director at the International Council on Clean Transportation) at his disposal, but he clearly didn't always like what they had to say. Issa and other Republicans questioned the "unnatural relationship" between the Obama Administration and GM as well as why it took NHTSA so many months to reveal the fire in November when it happened in June.

GM's Akerson stood up for the Volt, saying that the fire that's caused so much commotion only happened "after putting the battery through lab conditions that no driver would experience in the real world," according to his prepared remarks. Strickland said NHTSA "pulled no punches" in the Volt fire investigation - which recently ended after finding the Volt to be a safe car - but Issa was having none of it. He told Strickland: "I hear you, I don't believe you."

You can find the official Congressional website about the hearing (which includes a video of the entire session) here. The subcommittee's staff report, "Government Motors: A Preliminary Report on the Effects of Bailouts and Politics on the Obama Administration's Ability to Protect American Consumers" is available as a PDF. Be careful when reading it, though, as it starts by subtly misleading the reader. The report says:

Moreover, in the case of GM, the [Obama] Administration has offered substantial taxpayer funded subsidies to encourage production of the Volt. ... It has also extended a significant subsidy to encourage consumers to purchase the vehicle, offering buyers of the Volt a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 per vehicle.

A bit of research shows that the $7,500 tax credit was first put into law in the 2007-2008 Congress with the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, well before there was an Obama Administration.

Continue reading GM CEO stands up for Chevy Volt in D.C. hearing; Issa tells NHTSA: "I don't believe you"

GM CEO stands up for Chevy Volt in D.C. hearing; Issa tells NHTSA: "I don't believe you" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 chevrolet voltakersonchevroletchevrolet voltchevychevy voltdan akersondarrell issageneral motorsgmissanhtsaplug-in hybridvoltvolt fireWed, 25 Jan 2012 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20156446/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/25/gm-ceo-stands-up-for-chevy-volt-in-dc-hearing-issa-tells-nhtsa/20156446/article-detail.xml 20156446 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/gm-ceo-akerson-at-volt-fire-hearing_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/gm-ceo-akerson-at-volt-fire-hearing.png <![CDATA[NHTSA concludes investigation into Chevrolet Volt fires, no defect found]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/21/nhtsa-concludes-investigation-into-chevrolet-volt-fires-no-defe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/21/nhtsa-concludes-investigation-into-chevrolet-volt-fires-no-defe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/21/nhtsa-concludes-investigation-into-chevrolet-volt-fires-no-defe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Chevy Volt

The National Higway Traffic Safety Administration has officially closed the book on its investigation into the Chevrolet Volt. The result finds that "no discernible defect trend exists" and "Based on the available data, NHTSA does not believe that Chevy Volts or other electric vehicles pose a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles."

NHTSA supports the modifications developed by General Motors to address "specific attributes" particular to electric vehicles in the event of a crash. GM is retrofitting the nearly 8,000 Volts sold with additional side reinforcements and a sensor to detect coolant leaks, which was found to be the cause of the short-circuiting battery and resulting fires. The agency also issued guidelines for first responders and auto shops coming who encounter Volts that have been involved in accidents.

That means the safety fire has been put out, but a political fire still burns in Congress. General Motors CEO Dan Akerson and NHTSA head David Strickland will face a House panel in a few days to answer questions about the timeline of the investigation. Follow the jump to read NHTSA's statement on the investigation.

Continue reading NHTSA concludes investigation into Chevrolet Volt fires, no defect found

NHTSA concludes investigation into Chevrolet Volt fires, no defect found originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 chevrolet voltchevrolet voltchevynational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsavoltvolt fireSat, 21 Jan 2012 11:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20153684/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/21/nhtsa-concludes-investigation-into-chevrolet-volt-fires-no-defe/20153684/article-detail.xml 20153684 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/nhtsavoltinvestigfinish_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/nhtsavoltinvestigfinish.jpg <![CDATA[GM CEO Akerson asked to testify at Volt hearing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/gm-ceo-akerson-asked-to-testify-at-volt-hearing/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/gm-ceo-akerson-asked-to-testify-at-volt-hearing/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/gm-ceo-akerson-asked-to-testify-at-volt-hearing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It's a safe wager that no one expected the report of the Chevrolet Volt fire after a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash test to turn into a Congressional dressing-down. The short story: NHTSA crash-tested a Volt in May, that car caught fire in June while in storage, and NHTSA alerted the public about the fire in November. Certain politicians have wondered if politics played a part in waiting until November to report the fire, and now a House panel is holding a hearing called "Volt Vehicle Fire: What did NHTSA know and when did they know it?" to find out.

According to The Detroit News, the proceedings have now drawn General Motors CEO Dan Akerson into its maw, Akerson agreeing to testify before the panel next week. Akerson's name hasn't come up so far as a Person of Interest, so it looks like the panel is looking to anyone who might have reason to know anything about what has been called "the silence."

NHTSA has already said, in response to questioning, that the White House had nothing to do with the timeline and we can't imagine that the NHTSA was taking its orders from Akerson. The group of pols headed by California Republican Darrell Issa believes that NHTSA has not adequately addressed the panel's concerns, so agency chief David Strickland will be there alongside Akerson to answer questions.

GM CEO Akerson asked to testify at Volt hearing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 chevrolet voltchevrolet voltchevrolet volt firechevydan akersondarrell issadavid stricklandnhtsavoltvolt fireThu, 19 Jan 2012 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20151647/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/19/gm-ceo-akerson-asked-to-testify-at-volt-hearing/20151647/article-detail.xml 20151647 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volthearingsakerson_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volthearingsakerson.jpg <![CDATA[NHTSA says White House didn't factor in Chevy Volt fire disclosure]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/16/nhtsa-says-white-house-didnt-factor-in-chevy-volt-fire-disclosu/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/16/nhtsa-says-white-house-didnt-factor-in-chevy-volt-fire-disclosu/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/16/nhtsa-says-white-house-didnt-factor-in-chevy-volt-fire-disclosu/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2011 Chevrolet Volt

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has confirmed the Obama administration didn't ask the government agency to delay announcing potential safety issues with the Chevrolet Volt. According to The Detroit News, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was briefed about Volt fires that occurred after two crash tests in September, three months after the first extended-range hybrid began smoldering. According to the report, the office of the president was then informed of the fires shortly thereafter, as well as being notified of NHTSA's intent to investigate whether the results of the tests could be replicated.

The Detroit News quotes NHTSA administrator David Strickland as saying no one within the office of the president "requested or in any way suggested that NHTSA delay public release of information related to the Volt fire."

That seems to be a fairly definitive answer to the three house Republicans who asked General Motors and the Obama administration whether the White House had called for any delay in publicly disclosing the Volt fires. A House panel plans to undertake a hearing on the Volt controversy later this month.

NHTSA says White House didn't factor in Chevy Volt fire disclosure originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet voltchevrolet volt firenational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsaobama administrationray lahoodvoltvolt fireMon, 16 Jan 2012 09:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20149080/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/16/nhtsa-says-white-house-didnt-factor-in-chevy-volt-fire-disclosu/20149080/article-detail.xml 20149080 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/chevrolet-volt-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/chevrolet-volt-628.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt will receive safety enhancements, but don't call it a recall]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/chevy-volt-will-receive-safety-enhancements-but-dont-call-it-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/chevy-volt-will-receive-safety-enhancements-but-dont-call-it-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/chevy-volt-will-receive-safety-enhancements-but-dont-call-it-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The Chevrolet Volt is about to get safer. That's the big message from GM today as the company announced structural and cooling system "safety enhancements" that are intended to better distribute the car's energy load from a crash and, thus, better protect the battery from potential fires.

Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, said that GM is treating this as a voluntary customer satisfaction issue, and therefor it is not a recall. Still, the process to fix the cars does kind of smell like a recall, since all the Volts that have left the factory - roughly 8,000 already sold and another 4,400 at dealerships (every Ampera will need to get this fix as well) - will need to be changed, a process that takes roughly 2-3 hours, Reuss said. He would not hint at what this could cost GM.

Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development, said the repair parts should be ready and out to dealers in February. In a conference call with reporters, Barra explained the fix this way:

First, we're going to strengthen an existing portion of the vehicle safety structure that protects the battery pack in the event of a severe side collision. ... The current steel tunnel of the car acts as a safety cage surrounding the battery pack. The side pole test impacts the car directly in line with the cross car structure. ... The structural enhancements more evenly distribute the load to further protect the battery and coolant line in the event of a severe side crash. In addition to these structural modifications, we are going to make enhancements to the cooling system. First, we're going to be installing a sensor in the reservoir of the battery cooling system to monitor battery coolant levels. We're also adding a tamper-resistant bracket to the top of the battery coolant resevoir to prevent a potential coolant overfill.

Barra added that the LG Chem cell chemistry used in the Volt is safe and that, "We still believe liquid cooling is the right option for the Volt."

Since Volt production was shut down for the holidays (as is normal), Reuss said that when it is restarted "very shortly" the safety enhancements will be in place. As for the cars out in the wild, GM dealers can still sell them before the repairs are made because, Reuss said, "the car is safe."

Not everyone is so sure. Reuss said that around 250 Volt owners have requested either a loaner vehicle or a potential buyback, but he said this number may change following today's announcement. As for people who are still shopping, Reuss said, "To our potential customers, if you're in the market, we think you'll be missing an opportunity if you don't consider the Volt."

With that in mind, what does 2012 hold for the Volt? Reuss admitted that even though higher production numbers have been set for the coming year, GM is flexible and that, "We will match supply with demand."

Continue reading Chevy Volt will receive safety enhancements, but don't call it a recall

Chevy Volt will receive safety enhancements, but don't call it a recall originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery sarefychevroletchevyelectric vehiclemark reussmary barranhtsaplug-in hybridrecallsafety enhancementsvoltvolt firevolt recallThu, 05 Jan 2012 12:24:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20141233/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/05/chevy-volt-will-receive-safety-enhancements-but-dont-call-it-a/20141233/article-detail.xml 20141233 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/voltstructureenhancement-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/voltstructureenhancement-628.jpg <![CDATA[House to hold investigative hearings on Chevy Volt fire "silence"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/house-to-hold-investigative-hearings-on-chevy-volt-fire-silence/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/house-to-hold-investigative-hearings-on-chevy-volt-fire-silence/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/house-to-hold-investigative-hearings-on-chevy-volt-fire-silence/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

chevy volt crash test

Regular readers probably know the story of the Chevrolet Volt NHTSA post-crash fire by heart, but here are the important details as a refresher: The original car that triggered the investigation was crash tested by NHTSA in May. Three weeks later, in early June, the same car caught fire while in storage. The outside world first heard about the incident in November.

If that timeline seems a bit drawn-out to you, you're not alone - the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus Oversight and Government Spending are also raising questions. According to Automotive News, the subcommittee's chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), has announced that he will hold hearings in late January on the matter. He said in a statement:

It gives us great concern that recent reports indicate important safety information may have been omitted in testimony before our committee just a few weeks ago. This is a serious situation that our committee will look further into.

The official reason for keeping the information quiet, as stated by General Motors and NHTSA, is that it wasn't until NHTSA was able to recreate the fire that the decision was made to inform the public. Through the summer and fall, the fire was considered a "singular instance." Either way, it's much more than that now...

House to hold investigative hearings on Chevy Volt fire "silence" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 chevrolet voltchevroletchevy voltchevy volt nhtsageneral motorsjim jordannhtsaoversight committeevoltvolt crashvolt firevolt investigationWed, 07 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20122983/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/07/house-to-hold-investigative-hearings-on-chevy-volt-fire-silence/20122983/article-detail.xml 20122983 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/iihs-volt-leaf-crash-tests-628k_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/iihs-volt-leaf-crash-tests-628k.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt battery fix may cost $1,000 per car, will hang on to top IIHS rating]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/chevy-volt-battery-fix-may-cost-1-000-will-hang-on-to-top-iihs/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/chevy-volt-battery-fix-may-cost-1-000-will-hang-on-to-top-iihs/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/chevy-volt-battery-fix-may-cost-1-000-will-hang-on-to-top-iihs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Chevy Volt crash test

Spontaneous combustion concerns weeks after a crash may prompt General Motors to spend about $1,000 per Chevrolet Volt to fix, according to a report from Reuters. The proposed fixes, which would cost a total of $9 million, would likely include reinforcements around vulnerable areas of the car's battery pack, lamination of electric circuitry and better protection for the coolant system to stop leaks.

After a severe crash that causes damage to the Volt's battery pack, coolant can leak out, and if the battery is not discharged, a fire may start. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered the fire danger this past summer when one of its crashed Volts caught fire three weeks after testing. Two more batteries later caught fire when put through simulated crash testing by NHTSA.

Despite the fire risks, both NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have said they have no plans to change their safety ratings for the Volt. Both organizations gave Chevy's electric car top marks for safety after initial crash testing.

GM has repeatedly said that the Volt is safe to drive and poses no immediate risk of fire after an accident. Yesterday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood echoed that sentiment. Buyers have been offered loaner cars while the automaker investigates a solution and has vowed to buy back Volts from any owners who no longer want the car due to safety concerns. So far, a "couple dozen" Volt owners have taken GM up on the offer.

Chevy Volt battery fix may cost $1,000 per car, will hang on to top IIHS rating originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet voltchevroletchevychevy volt safetyiihsnhtsavoltvolt batteryvolt battery firevolt fireWed, 07 Dec 2011 11:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20122639/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/07/chevy-volt-battery-fix-may-cost-1-000-will-hang-on-to-top-iihs/20122639/article-detail.xml 20122639 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/voltcrashtest_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/voltcrashtest.jpg <![CDATA[GM now willing to buy back Volts from worried owners]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/02/gm-now-willing-to-buy-back-volts-from-worried-owners/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/02/gm-now-willing-to-buy-back-volts-from-worried-owners/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/02/gm-now-willing-to-buy-back-volts-from-worried-owners/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Chevrolet Volt

According to the Associated Press, GM CEO Dan Akerson has said General Motors will buy back any Chevrolet Volt from owners who are concerned about the vehicle's fire risk. Akerson said that his company isn't making the move because the plug-in hybrids are unsafe, but because GM is committed to keeping its customers happy. The CEO also said that GM is prepared to recall the 6,000 Volt models currently on the road if the federal government deems such an action necessary. As you may recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered that the Volt could catch fire several days after a severe side-impact crash and rollover.

NHTSA found that the vehicles could ignite anywhere from seven days to three weeks after the initial impact. GM believes the fires are a result of a failure in the battery pack's cooling system because the NHTSA test involved an intrusion of four-to-five inches into the vehicle's battery pack. Current testing standards call for no more than two inches of intrusion.

GM initially promised free loaner vehicles to any customer concerned with the safety of their Volt, and later said that the battery pack could be redesigned to better guard against this type of failure.

GM now willing to buy back Volts from worried owners originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet voltbuy backchevroletchevrolet volt recallvoltvolt firevolt recallFri, 02 Dec 2011 10:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20119448/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/02/gm-now-willing-to-buy-back-volts-from-worried-owners/20119448/article-detail.xml 20119448 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/chevrolet-volt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/chevrolet-volt.jpg <![CDATA[GM may redesign Chevy Volt battery]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/01/gm-may-redesign-chevy-volt-battery/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/01/gm-may-redesign-chevy-volt-battery/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/01/gm-may-redesign-chevy-volt-battery/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Chevrolet Volt emblem

Automotive News reports General Motors may redesign the battery pack found in the Chevrolet Volt in response to an investigation by federal authorities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered that in certain crash situations in which the Volt suffered a side impact, the battery pack could catch fire after sitting for several days. In response, GM has offered around 5,500 Volt customers a loaner vehicle until a solution to the issue can be determined. Now, CEO Dan Akerson has said that the battery pack may receive a redesign.

In addition, GM won't sell the Volt's European corporate cousin, the Opel Ampera, until the issue can be resolved. Akerson reiterated that the Volt is a safe car, pointing to the vehicle's excellent crash test ratings. Those buyers who have brought the Volt home have been plenty satisfied with the vehicle as well, with Consumer Reports reporting 93 percent of Volt owners would purchase the vehicle again.

GM may redesign Chevy Volt battery originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet voltchevrolet volt battery packfiresvehicle firevoltvolt battery packvolt fireThu, 01 Dec 2011 15:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20118909/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/01/gm-may-redesign-chevy-volt-battery/20118909/article-detail.xml 20118909 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/chevrolet-volt-emblem-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/chevrolet-volt-emblem-628.jpg <![CDATA[GM will loan free cars to Chevy Volt owners who have "fire anxiety"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/28/gm-will-loan-free-cars-to-chevy-volt-owners-who-have-fire-anxie/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/28/gm-will-loan-free-cars-to-chevy-volt-owners-who-have-fire-anxie/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/28/gm-will-loan-free-cars-to-chevy-volt-owners-who-have-fire-anxie/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



GM may have designed the Chevrolet Volt to cancel out potential "range anxiety," but the company is responding to a new type of worry today: fear that the Volt's battery will catch fire.
  • The problem? A Volt that had been crash tested in May caught fire three weeks after the crash conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This was revealed in early November.
  • The cause? A ruptured coolant line in the battery, which prompted a new safety investigation that was announced this past Friday.
  • The solution? GM's just-announced free vehicle loaner program and more tests.
Here are the preliminary details: Until the "resolution of the issue," any Volt owner who suffers from fire anxiety can get a free GM vehicle loan. Complete details of this "Volt owner satisfaction program" were not immediately available, but GM North America president Mark Reuss said in a statement that, "A vehicle loan program of this nature is well beyond the norm for a preliminary investigation, and it underlines our commitment to the vehicle and its owners. These steps are the right ones to take regardless of any immediate impact on our operations."

On the investigation front, GM said it would set up a senior engineering team to "develop changes to eliminate concern of potential post-crash electrical fires and work with industry to ensure appropriate electric vehicle protocols were in place." As reasonable voices have pointed out recently, the situation that happened at NHTSA has not been replicated in the real world and is unlikely to happen to any Volts out in the wild. In fact, NHTSA's official statement said that "Chevy Volt owners whose vehicles have not been in a serious crash do not have reason for concern." Still, Reuss said that, "Our customers' peace of mind is too important to us for there to be any concern or any worry. This technology should inspire confidence and pride, not raise any concern or doubt. The question is about how to deal with the battery days and weeks after a severe crash, making it a matter of interest not just for the Volt, but for our industry as we continue to advance the pursuit of electric vehicles."

Continue reading GM will loan free cars to Chevy Volt owners who have "fire anxiety"

GM will loan free cars to Chevy Volt owners who have "fire anxiety" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a statement on its investigation into a Chevrolet Volt fire that occurred at the organization's facilities. NHTSA had done a side-impact test on a Volt then parked it outside, and three weeks later Chevy's plug-in hybrid caught fire. The battery was determined to be the cause, after its coolant line was ruptured during the side-impact test. That led the NHTSA to consider a ruling forcing hybrid and electric-car batteries to be drained after a wreck.

On Friday, NHTSA said it is opening "a formal safety defect investigation" to study the risks of fire in Chevy Volts that have been in major accidents. To be clear, though, the larger story is that this isn't just about the Volt, this is about any vehicle with a battery pack, with NHTSA gathering "additional information about the potential for fire in electric vehicles involved in a crash...."

NHTSA conducted three more tests on the Volt's battery packs over three days, each test involving damaging the pack and rotating the car to simulate an accident and rollover. The battery pack in the third test began to smoke and spark almost immediately, the pack in the second test caught fire a week later. It is due to these results that the formal investigation has been opened. Follow the jump for NHTSA's complete statement.

Continue reading NHTSA releases Chevy Volt fire investigation details

NHTSA releases Chevy Volt fire investigation details originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Nov 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chevrolet Volt

In the aftermath of a Chevrolet Volt catching fire at a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration test facility, NHTSA may move to require electric vehicle batteries to be drained after major wrecks. The Detroit Free Press reports that the agency is contemplating issuing a ruling, but a decision has yet to be made.

General Motors' position on the fire is that the battery should have been drained after NHTSA crash-tested the car, a preventative measure the automaker says it recommends.

NHTSA's inquiry involves other carmakers who use lithium-ion battery packs, not just GM. According to the report, the agency is reviewing the automaker's responses, which likely pertain to the feasibility of requiring first-responders to drain battery packs. The Detroit Free Press says GM must currently deploy a team to drain Volt batteries, though a GM spokesman says a tool to drain batteries may become available to dealerships next year.

The safety of electric vehicle batteries and the unique dangers they pose to first responders have been an ongoing concern since the first hybrids hit the market over a decade ago. The market's shift toward lithium-ion batteries and an increase in the size of battery packs have only drawn the issue into starker focus.

Chevy Volt fire to prompt new safety procedures? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As a tipster put it: "Crap."

Even though there is plenty of evidence that the Chevrolet Volt is a safe car (one just protected its occupants in a recent crash with a bus), there are now new and seemingly legitimate worries about the safety of the 16-kWh battery pack after a crash. Bloomberg reports that a Volt that was parked at a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration test center recently caught fire, burning nearby vehicles. The Volt had been put through a side-impact crash test three weeks prior and an official told Bloomberg that investigators determined the battery was indeed the source of the fire. Apparently, NHTSA reps are talking with "all automakers" with lithium-ion vehicle for sale (or coming soon) about the safety of their battery packs.

On the one hand, this is bad news for people who already have worries about the safety of plug-in vehicle. On the other hand, a crashed car, whether powered by gasoline or lithium, isn't exactly a safe item. Given that this fire follows a second garage fire involving a Volt (whose cause has not yet been determined), we expect a spike of "plug-in cars are bad" news soon. Whether this is warranted or not is another question. NHTSA has issued a statement to Bloomberg that said:

Based on the available data, NHTSA does not believe the Volt or other electric vehicles are at a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles. In fact, all vehicles - both electric and gasoline-powered - have some risk of fire in the event of a serious crash.

Indeed. We'll have more on this as details are released.

UPDATE: General Motors has released an official statement, which has been added after the jump.

Continue reading Chevy Volt battery catches fire at NHTSA [UPDATE]

Chevy Volt battery catches fire at NHTSA [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet Volt Fire

Chevrolet Volt owners Storm and Dee Connors were reportedly woken up by the sound of fire alarms in their Barkhamsted, Connecticut home for the second time in a week. As you may recall, the Connors family escaped injury when a garage fire consumed both their new Volt and a home-converted electric Suzuki Samurai on April 14. Now, local news outlets are reporting that the remains of the Volt reignited while still in the charred remains of the garage. The vehicle was not plugged in at the time of the second burning.

Local authorities are currently investigating the source of the re-ignition, though some members of the media-at-large have been quick to single out the Volt as the cause of the first fire, even though fire investigators have yet to speak up with their findings.

General Motors, meanwhile, is sending its own experts to investigate both incidents. The automaker originally issued a statement urging the public to refrain from leaping to conclusions about the first fire, asking everyone to allow local authorities and the automaker's own engineers time to uncover the origin of the trouble. You can find the full statement here. Thanks for the tips, Kris and Phil!

[Sources: WTNH, WFSB]

Report: Burnt Chevrolet Volt mysteriously catches fire again originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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chevy volt garage fire
Chevrolet Volt garage fire - Click above to watch video after the jump

No one was hurt - but two plug-in vehicles were destroyed - in a fire in a home in the Connecticut town of Barkhamsted last night. The cars were a brand-new 2011 Chevrolet Volt with just 2,000 miles on the odometer and a converted all-electric Suzuki Samurai that the homeowner, Storm Connors, converted himself years ago. At this early stage, it is impossible to tell if one or the other vehicles was the cause of the blaze - or if it was one of the charging systems or the garage's electrical system - but firemen who responded to the 911 call said that this is one angle that the investigators will look in to. Local news channel WTNH reports that Connors, "likes his cars too much to think having them charging in the garage started the fire." Another news channel, WFSB, says that, "fire officials suspect an electric hybrid car may have sparked" the blaze.

You can watch a video news report of the aftermath after the jump. Interestingly, Connors himself has commented on AutoblogGreen stories in the past, so our thoughts go out to a reader who is dealing with a terrible loss. Hat tip to Pete!


UPDATE: Official statement from GM's, Doug Parks, Global Electric Vehicle Executive, is available on ChevroletVoltage.com. Check it out here.

[Sources: WFSB, WTNH]

Continue reading Video: Garage fire claims Chevy Volt and homebuilt EV *UPDATE

Video: Garage fire claims Chevy Volt and homebuilt EV *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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