UPDATE 1-GM concerns new remember for just about 69,000 Bolt EVs for fire challenges
(Provides particulars, NHTSA statement, qualifications)
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, July 23 (Reuters) – Common Motors Co stated Friday it is issuing a new remember for nearly 69,000 Chevrolet Bolt electric powered automobiles (EVs) worldwide for fireplace dangers right after studies of two fires and will change faulty battery modules as needed.
The Bolt EVs were recalled in November for hearth pitfalls and at minimum 1 of the two new fires was in a auto that had previously experienced the software program update launched as section of that recall.
The most up-to-date remember will come just after GM and Nationwide Freeway Visitors Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulators last week urged Bolt homeowners to park their vehicles outside the house and away from residences immediately after charging.
The greatest U.S. automaker claimed “experts from GM and (battery maker) LG have identified the simultaneous existence of two rare manufacturing problems in the exact battery mobile as the root bring about of battery fires in specified Chevrolet Bolt EVs.”
GM explained it will substitute defective battery modules in the recall inhabitants, even though it is not clear how many are defective. The recall involves 50,925 U.S. cars.
GM and LG engineers are operating “to finalize all the actions of the recall repair process. That would incorporate a prospective seller inspection process,” GM claimed, including that it “could swap total packs or suspect modules.”
“The query is no matter if GM has the technological capability to detect and determine defective batteries. If there is not, they could have to change the overall batteries, which will be pricey, like Hyundai did,” mentioned South Korean battery skilled and professor Park Chul-wan.
GM reported previously the large voltage batteries staying recalled have been developed at LG Chem Ltd’s Ochang, South Korean facility. The recall does not influence newer Bolt cars with a up coming-technology battery.
NHTSA opened an investigation of the fire stories in October that is however open up and is reviewing GM’s remember fixes. The agency stated Friday it is aware of a person fireplace with the interim initial remember correct and two fires with the software program take care of.
The Chevrolet Bolt autos remaining recalled again are from the 2017-2019 design decades and had been to start with recalled for the likely of a hearth in the significant-voltage battery pack less than the rear seat’s base cushion.
GM has confirmed nine complete Bolt fires.
GM reported that all of the approximately 69,000 Bolt house owners really should return their automobiles to a 90% point out of charge limitation that the firm very first instructed homeowners to use in November right before the recall correct had been concluded.
The automaker also asked proprietors to cost their car immediately after each and every use and stay away from depleting the battery below around 70 miles of remaining variety, wherever achievable, to decrease the possibility of a fireplace.
GM said it was nonetheless recommending shoppers park automobiles outside the house promptly just after charging and not go away them charging overnight – and to get the program update as portion of the original recall.
GM has a further generation battery prepared when it launches EV Hummer and Cadillac cars over the upcoming year.
GM shares have been down about 1% in morning trading. (Reporting by David Shepardson further reporting by Hyun Joo Jin Enhancing by Mark Potter and Dan Grebler)