GM recalling nearly 69,000 Bolt EVs for fire risks
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[November 14, 2020] By
Ben Klayman and David Shepardson
DETROIT/
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - General
Motors Co <GM.N> said on Friday it was recalling 68,677 electric cars
worldwide that pose a fire risk after five reported fires and two minor
injuries.
The recall is for 2017-2019 model year Chevrolet Bolt EVs with high
voltage batteries produced at LG Chem Ltd's <051910.KS> Ochang, South
Korean facility.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last month
opened a preliminary investigation into the Bolt EVs after reports of
three Bolts catching fire.
GM said the vehicles pose a fire risk when charged to full, or nearly
full capacity. The Detroit automaker said it had developed software that
will limit vehicle charging to 90% of full capacity to mitigate the
risk, while it determines the appropriate final repair.
"We're working together around the clock to deploy a final remedy as
soon as possible after the first of the year," Jesse Ortega, executive
chief engineer for the Chevrolet Bolt EV, told reporters on a conference
call.
LG Chem said in a statement; "We will cooperate with GM and sincerely
proceed with an investigation to identify the exact cause of fire."
NHTSA said Bolt owners "should park their cars outside and away from
homes until their vehicles have been repaired, due to a new recall for
the risk of fire."
The recall includes 50,932 U.S. Bolt vehicles.
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Chevrolet Bolt EV is pictured during the media day of the Salao do
Automovel International Auto Show in Sao Paulo, Brazil November 6,
2018. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
Smoke inhalation injuries were reported in a March 2019 incident in Belmont,
Massachusetts. A Bolt caught fire in the driveway and the owner said strong
fumes permeated the home during a three-hour fire requiring professional
cleaning. The owners also reported they suffered headaches from contact with the
smoke.
Dealerships will update the vehicle's battery software beginning next week.
Other electric vehicles have faced fire risk recalls.
Last month, Hyundai Motor Co <005380.KS> issued a recall for nearly 77,000 Kona
EVs worldwide, saying possible defects in battery cells increased the risk of a
short circuit or fire.
The affected vehicles in Hyundai's recall also use LG Chem battery cells,
produced in the supplier's factory in Nanjing, China.
LG Chem denied any cell defects but said it was working with Hyundai.
(Reporting by Ben Klayman in Detroit and David Shepardson in Washington;
Additional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin in SEOUL; Editing by Chris Reese, David
Gregorio, Richard Chang and Tom Brown)
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