Chevrolet's Bolt EV battery fire recall just got worse
Friday's announcement by the automaker stated that additional 72,000 vehicles would be recalled, including Bolt EVs 2019 and 2020-2022 Bolt EVs. Chevy's new SUV-sized Bolts will be available in 2022 EUVs. GM was optimistic about the Bolt's hands-free driving feature.
This expanded effort covers Canada and the U.S. after Chevy recalled approximately 68,600 Bolt EVs 2017-2019 in November. Chevy released a software update for these cars in June. However, some Bolts' batteries still caught fire. Chevy had earlier this week announced that it would replace the battery modules in the cars. However, it will not be offering completely new batteries. The same remedy will be extended to the new batch EVs and EUVs that are part of the expanded recall.
In its announcement, GM stated that the batteries used by GM to power these vehicles could have two manufacturing defects: a torn separator and a torn tab. This increases the chance of fire.
Chevy offers buybacks to some EV owner's behind the scenes. However, the process was handled individually for each case. This frustrates customers who want to get their money back.
Chevy has spent $800million so far on the recall. According to the announcement, the company will spend $1 billion to expand the recall to 140,000 vehicles.
Hyundai's total recall is now greater than Hyundai's. This year, 82,000 Konas were recalled and Ioniqs EVs were recalled over battery fires. For this effort, Hyundai spent $900 million. Both companies used LG lithium-ion batteries. Mashable reached out to LG, but GM stated that the two companies were working together to "correct the cause."
Chevrolet officials initially believed that only South Korean-made batteries were defective. This is why the first recall was limited to 2017, 2018, and some 2019 Bolt EVs. The company discovered manufacturing defects in other batteries at different facilities.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration observed that routinely charging the battery to full or almost full charge after it has been significantly depleted was a contributing factor to the battery cell manufacturing defect.
GM advised customers that the new recall pool charge should be limited to 90 percent. This can be done via the infotainment screen, or a dealer. Customers must have a minimum of 70 miles range, park outside after charging and not leave cars indoors overnight.
Doug Parks, GM's executive vice president for global product development, purchasing and supply chain said that GM's focus on safety and doing right by customers is the driving force behind every decision they make. We are leaders in the transition towards an all-electric future and we understand that trust building and maintaining is crucial. GM customers can trust in our commitment to take the necessary steps to ensure safety for these vehicles.
GM has invested heavily in a new Ultium battery system. It is more flexible and less expensive to make in order to be fully electric by 2035. It was planned to be used in the new models of 2023 Bolt E-Vs and 2024 Bolt EUVs.
While gas-powered cars' battery catch fire more often than those of EV batteries, EV fires such as those in Bolts or Teslas are ping ponging around the internet. As car buyers think about range anxiety and the cost of battery replacement, the battery is crucial to EV adoption.
Chevy promises a limited warranty of 8 years/100,000-miles on new parts as part of its plan for replacing the battery modules. Chevy previously offered an 8-year warranty on Bolt EV batteries.
UPDATE: August 20, 2021, 3 :25 p.m. PDT. This post has been updated with new details about the recall.
