Tag Archives: volt fire

NHTSA Opens a Formal Defect Investigation into Chevrolet Volt Battery Fires When a Second Fire Occurs After a Crash Test

Posted on 26 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – NHTSA – is opening a formal safety defect investigation to assess the risk posed by Chevrolet Volt battery fires after a serious accident. The formal investigation came after NHTSA observed two post-crash testing fires emanating from Volt’s lithium ion batteries, the latest occurring last Thursday. Since July, GM has implemented a post crash procedure that includes the depowering of the battery after a severe crash, returning the battery to what it calls a safe and low-powered state. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Volt Fire After Crash Prompts NHTSA Investigation

Posted on 11 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Lithium battery safety in a plug-in hybrid, such as the Chevrolet Volt, or pure electric automobile, such as the Nissan Leaf, is based on a complex series of factors involving not only the battery design, but where it is placed in the vehicle; its discharge and recharge rates; cooling; as well as the software that governs the whole system, including failure modes that when detected disable the battery. Continue reading →

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