Antigini-GT/CS

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-25/gm-volt-fire-said-to-prompt-u-s-probe-of-lithium-batteries.html

So three weeks after it was crash tested, a Volt caught fire. GM's Chief Engineer says the Volt is a "safe car" and "there's no greater risk of fire with a Volt than a tradition gas-powered car."

I don't normally see gas-powered cars catch fire three weeks after they've been crashed.

Shelby08

It's worse than a Pinto!!!!!! at least it exploded during crashes! :P

2k7gtcs

Uh oh. Chevy better hope jmatero doesn't own a Volt.

fdjizm

GM and fire? no waaayy!!

texastboneking

Link no good? -_-

karman

Try this one:
http://www.torquenews.com/397/nhtsa-...ies-chevy-volt
.
"
• Tow trucks operators and vehicle storage facilities should keep the vehicle in an open area rather than a garage or enclosed building.
• Instead of attempting to drain a propulsion battery, responders should contact the vehicle manufacturer for authoritative advice on dealing with the situation.
• Vehicle owners should not store a severely damaged vehicle in a garage or near other vehicles."

MARZ

It doesn't appear to be an isolated incident. I wonder what kind of emissions a burning battery emits?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45439574.../#.TtMOY3PZufZ

"More post-crash battery fires involving Chevy Volt
By JOAN LOWY

Washington - A safety investigation of the lithium-ion batteries in
General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet Volt is under way to assess the risk of
fire in the electric car after a serious crash, the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration said Friday.

One Volt battery pack that was being closely monitored following a
government crash test caught fire Thursday, the safety administration
said in a statement. Another crash-tested battery emitted smoke and
sparks, the statement said.

GM, which was informed of the investigation on Friday, said in a
statement that the Volt "is safe and does not present undue risk as part
of normal operation or immediately after a severe crash."

The fires are in addition to a battery fire in a crash-tested Volt six
months ago.

NHTSA learned of a possible fire risk involving damaged Volt batteries
in June when a fire erupted in a Volt that was being stored in a parking
lot a test facility in Burlington, Wis. The fire was severe enough to
cause several other vehicles parked nearby to catch fire as well.

The car had been subjected to a side-impact crash test more than three
weeks earlier, on May 12, during which the battery was damaged and its
coolant line ruptured.

Last week's tests of three battery packs were designed to replicate the
May test. In that test, the Volt was subjected to a simulated
side-impact collision into a narrow object like a tree or pole followed
by a rollover, the agency said.

The first battery tested last week didn't catch fire. But a battery test
on Nov. 17 initially experienced a temporary temperature increase, and
on Thursday caught fire. Another battery tested on Nov. 18, which was
rotated 180 degrees within hours after the test, began to smoke and emit
sparks shortly after the rotation.

The tests were conducted by NHTSA and the Energy and Defense departments
at a defense facility near Hampton Roads, Va.

So far, no fires have been reported in Volts involved in roadway
crashes, NHTSA said. More than 5,000 of the vehicles have been sold.

It's too soon to tell whether the investigation will lead to a recall of
any vehicles or parts, but the government will ensure consumers are
informed promptly if that occurs, the agency said.

With electronic safety systems that are part of the car, "GM knows real
time about any crash significant enough to potentially compromise
battery integrity," the automaker said. "Since July, GM has implemented
a post-crash protocol that includes the depowering of the battery after
a severe crash, returning the battery to a safe and low-powered state."

Electric vehicles are critical to President Barack Obama's plans to
reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. He has called for putting 1
million of the vehicles on the road by 2015.

Safety testing hasn't raised concerns about electric vehicles other than
the Volt, NHTSA said.

"NHTSA continues to believe that electric vehicles have incredible
potential to save consumers money at the pump, help protect the
environment, create jobs and strengthen national security by reducing
our dependence on oil," the agency said."

David Young

I wonder if G.M. will have a fire extinguisher as standard equipment for the Volt.....

Ronin38

fdjizm

^hopefully you can check it as an option lol

Von Bek

What gets me is the time elapse. Three weeks for a fire to start seems kind of odd to me. Are these impacts enough to total out the car? Would anybody still be driving one if they had one of these impacts? Very strange.

fdjizm

Starting a fire in a body shop, awaiting repairs would be a disaster.

Antigini-GT/CS

I was thinking the same thing. With all the paint and flammable objects that place would go up like a firecracker. I'll have to point my neighbors at the body shop to this article.

Flagstang

YAAAAY

jacostang

Oh man thats a Knee slapper!

bob

I wonder if Toyota and anybody else in the nickle metal hydride camp will capitalize on this? NMHi batteries dont have this problem, unfortunately they dont pack the same energy density either.

Its to bad GM's running into this with the Volt but america does love to burn its witches.

Scruffy281

Good ol GM.