NHTSA Formally Investigates Volt After Further Crash Testing Confirms Fire Risk

Safety regulators will begin a formal investigation of the fire risk of Chevrolet Volts after two of three recent tests resulted in one battery pack catching fire and one smoking and emitting sparks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration replicated side impact tests on three Volts on Nov. 16, 17 and 18. The tests were similar to one NHTSA conducted last May in Wisconsin. In that incident, the Volt's batteries caught fire three weeks after the crash test. No one had drained the battery pack after the crash test.

 

800over - 11/28/2011 11:23:25 AM

+2 Boost

Personally not a fan of the Volt...but this is another witch hunt. (although it won't get much press anyway)

Agent009 - 11/28/2011 11:30:57 AM

+2 Boost

Dunno a bout that. 2 out of 3 had issues? You have to think about the safety of the first responders in a case like this.

Joe_Limon - 11/28/2011 12:43:27 PM

+2 Boost

Aren't the issues surrounding a fire that starts 3 weeks after impact? Or do first responders take 3 weeks in the USA?

Fijian - 11/28/2011 4:58:32 PM

+2 Boost

The Manual clearly states to remove the battery connections after an accident.Its not supposed to be connected for 3 weeks.Like if there is a plane crash the fuel can ignite.So you do not leave it un attended for 3 weeks after a crash.