Park your Bolt EV 50 feet away from others, GM tells owners to avoid fire risk

  • General Motors has previously also asked Bolt EV owners to limit the charge of their vehicles to 90%.
  • The owners have also been advised to avoid charging the vehicle indoors overnight due to the fire risk.

File photo of a Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicle seen on the assembly line at General Motors Orion Assembly in Lake Orion, Michigan, US. (REUTERS)
File photo of a Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicle seen on the assembly line at General Motors Orion Assembly in Lake Orion, Michigan, US.
View Personalised Offers on
Check Offers icon Check Offers

While General Motors (GM) has previously asked Chevrolet Bolt owners to park their EVs outside and away from buildings, it is now urging them to park their electric vehicles at least 50 feet away from other cars. The guideline from GM comes in order to avoid any more spontaneous fire risk caused due to the batteries in Bolt EVs.

The new guideline will disappoint the already dejected owners who have been limiting the use of their bolt EVs in order to avoid overheating of the battery. Bolt EVs are also being shunned from various parking places in the US due its reputation of causing spontaneous fire. And now, having to park 50 feet away from other vehicles will especially cause pain to those living in urban areas.

Also check these Vehicles

Find more Cars
Amo Mobility Feisty Ev (HT Auto photo)
MaxSpeed Icon25 kmph
₹62,180
Compare
View Offers
Tata Sierra Ev (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon69 kWh Range Icon420 km
₹ 25 - 30 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Mg 4 Ev (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon64 kWh Range Icon350 km
₹ 30 - 32 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Mg Windsor Ev (HT Auto photo)
BatteryCapacity Icon38 kWh Range Icon331 km
₹ 13.50 - 15.50 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Honda Elevate Ev (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
₹ 18 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Tata Curvv Ev (HT Auto photo)
BatteryCapacity Icon55 kWh Range Icon585 km
₹ 17.49 - 21.99 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers

The automaker has previously also asked Bolt owners to limit the charge of their EVs to 90%, plug in more frequently and avoid depleting the battery to below about 70 miles of remaining range. They have also been advised to park their vehicles outside immediately after charging and not leave them charging indoors overnight.

GM has already confirmed at least 10 incidents of fires caused due to Bolt EVs. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, however, has found 13 such cases, but the company hasn't confirmed the additional three. The automaker has recalled all of the roughly 142,000 Bolts that it has sold since 2016 due to the fire risk posed by the batteries inside these electric vehicles. GM has taken a $1.8 billion charge so far for the cost of the recall and has been buying cars back from some disgruntled owners.

The auto company is also actively working with the battery-provider LG Corp to clean up the manufacturing process at its battery plants and implement some quality metrics. Both the companies have been working on tracking down and fixing the problem of fire in these vehicles.

(with inputs from Bloomberg)

Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.

First Published Date: 16 Sept 2021, 11:05 am IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Check Latest Offers

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Select a dealer

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy
Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.