Another Failed Government Subsidy/Tax Break: Chevy Volt

[Obama 2012 1,714]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/25/business/chevy-volt-investigation/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

(CNN) -- Federal safety regulators announced Friday that they have opened "a formal safety defect investigation" into the Chevrolet Volt over concerns the electric car's battery may pose a significant fire risk.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been looking at the car for months, explaining in a press release that this includes crash-testing the Volt in May and conducting three tests last week focused specifically on the vehicle's lithium-ion batteries.

"The agency is concerned that damage to the Volt's batteries as part of three tests that are explicitly designed to replicate real-world crash scenarios have resulted in fire," the administration said.

"NHTSA is therefore opening a safety defect investigation of Chevy Volts, which could experience a battery-related fire following a crash."

The agency noted that there are no known "real-world" instances of battery problems causing fires to erupt after a driver crashes a Volt, and added that "Volt owners who have not been in a serious crash do not have reason for concern."

Nor has the federal regulator ordered any recall, though it did say that might occur "if NHTSA identifies an unreasonable risk of safety."

The agency is working with General Motors, plus the federal defense and energy departments, "to assess the causes and implications" of the fires, it said.

The agency reiterated guidelines for what drivers and first responders should do if an electric vehicle is involved in a crash, including taking precautions to avoid shocks and using "copious amounts of water if fire is present." No problems have been detected in other such cars.

"NHTSA testing on electric vehicles to date has not raised safety concerns about vehicles other than the Chevy Volt," the agency noted.

Earlier, GM spokesman Greg Martin said the automaker has been unable to duplicate the fires, even after subjecting the Volt battery pack to more than 300,000 safety tests.

The Volt passed other safety administration tests for protecting vehicle occupants, earning a five-star rating for overall safety, side impact and rollover risk and four stars for frontal crash protection.

"First and foremost, I want to make this very clear: The Volt is a safe car," Jim Federico, GM chief engineer for electric vehicles, said two weeks ago in a prepared statement. "We are working cooperatively with NHTSA as it completes its investigation."

[spookyturtle 9,465]

So be a real American and buy a Toyota.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

So be a real American and buy a Toyota.

actually that's true.

Toyota's are now the most American-Made vehicles out there.... Sadly...

[Danno 1,228]

Wonder what this investigation will cost tax payers.... and who stands to profit from all the resulting job security?

Why do I ask?

This one line tells you all you need to know.

The agency noted that there are no known "real-world" instances of battery problems causing fires to erupt after a driver crashes a Volt, and added that "Volt owners who have not been in a serious crash do not have reason for concern."

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

actually that's true.

Toyota's are now the most American-Made vehicles out there.... Sadly...

That's true, my Tahoe was built in Arlington, in some country called Texas.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

That's true, my Tahoe was built in Arlington, in some country called Texas.

where did the parts come from however...

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

where did the parts come from however...

Where is the head office and where will the profits go? Nippondenso, is a Japanese company that makes most of the parts for a Toyota. It used to be part of Toyota. Looks like your argument in support of Toyota has failed yet again.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Where is the head office and where will the profits go? Nippondenso, is a Japanese company that makes most of the parts for a Toyota. It used to be part of Toyota. Looks like your argument in support of Toyota has failed yet again.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/43562127/The_Most_American_Made_Cars_and_Trucks

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

http://www.cnbc.com/...Cars_and_Trucks

Funny how your perfunctory post doesn't address the issue I raise, I wonder why? Now go back to playing with your TOY-ota.

[SMR 368]

The agency reiterated guidelines for what drivers and first responders should do if an electric vehicle is involved in a crash, including taking precautions to avoid shocks and using "copious amounts of water if fire is present."

Did I miss something? Lithium burns in water. Rather profusely. I work at a company that makes lithium ion cells and lithium fires (it happens on a fairly frequent basis, to be honest) are always extinguished with dry fire extinguishers.

Admittedly, if the cells are still sealed and another part of the car is on fire, copious amounts of water may be the best solution to try and keep the cells cool and put the fire out as quickly as possible to to prevent it from reaching the cells. But if the cells are punctured that adding water is a really bad idea.