Chevy Volt catches on fire.

I'll be interested in the root cause as well. Volt was involved in a garage fire before. After the fire was put out, Volt's battery pack rekindled. I am curious to know if they are related.

 

As if gasoline cars never caught fire.

 

.... 3 weeks after the test car was totaled in the crash test. Subsequent crash tests did not recreate the fire. The normal post-crash safety protocols documented for the Volt were not followed as they would have been by a dealer after a real crash.

 

Here is the Emergency Response Guide for Volt.

Which part was not followed that resulted in the fire? Pulling the MSD?

 

But several gasoline car recalls for ignition and cruise control switch problems involved uncrashed vehicles catching fire after sitting cold and unused for hours or days.

Concerning the latest incidents, at least there are multiple competing designs out in the market. That will make it harder for flaws confined to any one specific design to seriously taint the whole field.

 

GM Volt Fire Said to Prompt U.S. Probe of Lithium Batteries

GM Volt Fire Said to Prompt U.S. Probe of Lithium Batteries - Businessweek

"U.S. auto-safety regulators are scrutinizing the safety of lithium-ion batteries that power all plug-in electric vehicles after a General Motors Co. Chevrolet Volt caught fire, people familiar with the probe said. The regulators have asked automakers, including GM, Nissan Motor Co. and Ford Motor Co., that sell or have plans to sell vehicles with lithium-ion batteries about the batteries’ fire risk, four people familiar with the inquiry said. The Volt caught fire while parked at a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration testing center in Wisconsin, three weeks after a side-impact crash test May 12, said an agency official. The official, as well as the three other people familiar with the inquiry, said they couldn’t be named because the investigation isn’t public."

 

Are electric cars safe?

While new technology easily captures headlines, safety is a relative concept. The vehicle you currently use to ferry your brats to soccer practice and back is likely powered by a highly-combustible, cancer-causing liquid stored in a thin plastic or metal tank just a few inches below or behind your children's seats. The alloys used in various components of that car contain lead, and you'll find kill-you-quickly acid just under the hood.


One of the most popular family vehicles ever, the old jellybean Dodge Voyager/Chrysler Town & Country was rated one of the least-safe vehicles ever tested by Euro NCAP, yet millions of families still obliviously cruise down the highway in one. Speaking of the highway, since when was a large number of 4,000-lb. metal boxes driving at each other at high speeds, piloted by amateurs with virtually no training, considered safe? Throw in some batteries that may catch fire three weeks after being crash tested and left outside in the elements into the mix and the safety needle doesn't really budge.
The NHTSA actually agrees, stating,

"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. As manufacturers continue to develop vehicles of any kind — electric, gasoline, or diesel — it is critical that they take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of drivers and first responders both during and after a crash."
​

But, the NHTSA's Volt fire and a few isolated cases of electric vehicles combusting after home charging mishaps is going to create media headlines. Fox will probably blame it on President Obama, President Obama will probably blame it on American business, and Rick Perry will forget what vehicle it was that caught on fire in his next debate.

:cheer2:

 

It's especially troublesome that Ford, Mitsu, Nissan, and Teslas (powered by lithium) are being investigated now, just because GM's battery has issues. Guilt by association.

.

 

I guess Toyota and Fisker as well. I hope this doesn't turn into "Lithium witch hunt" because different chemistries have different safety properties.

Source

So the fire broke out in June? Why did it take 5 more months for the news to come out?

 

Just remember, if you are involved in a side impact crash in an EV, exit the vehicle within the first three weeks.

 

Is bad PR mainly because it's on the news now. Really though it doesn't worry me.

 

That document is for training emergency responders. The Volt service manual documents what should be done to inspect the high voltage systems following a collision in Volume 2, section 11, page 332. After a collision as severe as in the side-impact crash test, the battery pack should be removed from the vehicle.

 

Damn. Looks like GM managed to kill the electric car again...

 

Re: GM Volt Fire Said to Prompt U.S. Probe of Lithium Batteries

Interesting.
I remember an article in a magazine for fire departments a couple of years ago about how to protect first responders and accident victims where crashes involved hybrids. But I don't think that involved this particular fire issue.
I hope it turns out Li-Ion batteries can be made safe (or are safe) in crashes. It's a useful technology.
Ken

 

Slow burning fire?



Tom

 

Awaiting the results of the review.
Was the Volt under constant video surveillance leading up to the fire?