General Motors has warned its Chevrolet Bolt EV owners with potentially faulty batteries to park away from other vehicles and preferably in open areas to reduce potential fire risks.
Reuters reports that GM recommends that Bolt owners (both the standard model and EUV) parking in decks do so on the top floor or on an open level, at least 50 feet away from other vehicles, citing fire risks associated with battery defects subject to a current recall.
The Reuters report cited an email from a company spokesperson that said the ‘precaution would reduce potential damage to structures and nearby vehicles in the rare event of a potential fire’.
The report also noted that GM had previously asked owners to park Bolt vehicles outdoors, away from structures, and to not charge them overnight.
Last month, General Motors said it was voluntarily expanding the current Chevrolet Bolt EV recall to cover the remaining 2019 and all 2020-2022 model year vehicles, including the Bolt EUV.
At the time, GM acknowledged that in ‘rare circumstances’, the batteries supplied to GM (by LG) for these vehicles may have two manufacturing defects – a torn anode tab and folded separator – present in the same battery cell, which increases the risk of fire. GM also said it will replace defective battery modules in Chevrolet Bolt EVs and EUVs with new modules, with an expected additional cost of approximately $1 billion.
GM is seeking reimbursement from battery supplier LG. It has also suspended Bolt production due to battery pack shortages and prioritising battery supply to the recall.