Off Topic » All Chevy Bolt EVs are being recalled

It looks like Chevy's attempt at introducing the car buying public to the advantages of electric vehicles is off to a rocky start.

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A couple times they mention the new SUV. I think they mean the new Bolt EUV model.

Do any US members remember the fun US Auto Manufacturers' acronyms?
FORD: Found on Road Dead; Fix or Repair Daily
MOPAR: Must Order Parts and Replace

I hadn't had one for GM until a funny guy in a sales job conferred:
GM: Garbage Motors

My Kona EV has a traction battery recall resulting from the same production problem by LG Chem. Not being handled at all well by Hyundai UK.

Li batteries are inherently less safe than lead acid . Their electrolitic and some other structure are exothermal when burnt. ie when on fire they make it worse. That is why air freight LI batteries have been under strict controls for 25 years.

Crushing a LI battery can cause it to combust or explode. Too fast a discharge can cause it to combust or explode, too fast a charging can cause it to combust or explode...

The Engineers of many many companies are trying to find the right control protocols to keep them safe....emerging Li variant technology change these parameters ...keeping the uncertainty open.

High power (current) control / switching semiconductor are being developed at a break neck pace to meet the Automotive need. Again designs on the threshold of risk

As the consumer demands faster charging times, more range will help keep the threshold of safety and fire dangerously thin.

Welcome to the world on introducing new technology!

I'm holding off from buy an EV mostly because I live in cold climate (less range) and need more reliable range and would like lower cost. (Do not need a 3.9 second to 60 car) Letting technology to mature is part of it too





Welcome

Zitat von Vtbob im Beitrag #5

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I'm holding off from buy an EV mostly because I live in cold climate (less range) and need more reliable range and would like lower cost. (Do not need a 3.9 second to 60 car) Letting technology to mature is part of it too

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #6

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BTW - for the last 2000 miles, I've used 20 US gallons of gas in my plug-in hybrid with a 12kW-hr battery. If I had the 43kW-hr Rav-4 Prime battery, I doubt I would have used 10-gallons of gas. In my experience, if your typical commute or daily drive is within or near the all-E range of a plug-in hybrid, you'll rarely need to purchase gasoline.

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I think I’ll just be happy with my 48v golf cart, for now. The 8v lead/acid batteries last for years and are pretty safe to recycle. Replacement is affordable and can be done in my driveway. It is an amazingly useful tool on our farm and allows us to use our tractors a great deal less. Electric is amazing, but some of the tech is not ready for prime time…

Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #7

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #6

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BTW - for the last 2000 miles, I've used 20 US gallons of gas in my plug-in hybrid with a 12kW-hr battery. If I had the 43kW-hr Rav-4 Prime battery, I doubt I would have used 10-gallons of gas. In my experience, if your typical commute or daily drive is within or near the all-E range of a plug-in hybrid, you'll rarely need to purchase gasoline.

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What is the approx battery range on your plug in hybrid?

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Zitat von Blackshirt im Beitrag #8

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I think I’ll just be happy with my 48v golf cart, for now. The 8v lead/acid batteries last for years and are pretty safe to recycle. Replacement is affordable and can be done in my driveway. It is an amazingly useful tool on our farm and allows us to use our tractors a great deal less. Electric is amazing, but some of the tech is not ready for prime time…

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Considering that they're still a (somewhat) Swedish company, I would look to the Volvo Polestar models for cold weather adapted EV designs. As you indicated, Toyota didn't use Li batteries in their AWD version of the Prius. However, they do use Li-batteries in the plug-in RAV-4 Prime.

FYI Volvo has been bought by the Chinese company Gheely. I believe they are designing the smaller Volvo in China for that market and exporting to Europe. I believe essentially all the EV designs are coming out of China. Gheely will be providing Mercedes hybrid motors in the near future . PS Gheely owns 10% of Daimler

Zitat von Vtbob im Beitrag #11

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Considering that they're still a (somewhat) Swedish company, I would look to the Volvo Polestar models for cold weather adapted EV designs. As you indicated, Toyota didn't use Li batteries in their AWD version of the Prius. However, they do use Li-batteries in the plug-in RAV-4 Prime.

FYI Volvo has been bought by the Chinese company Gheely. I believe they are designing the smaller Volvo in China for that market and exporting to Europe. I believe essentially all the EV designs are coming out of China. Gheely will be providing Mercedes hybrid motors in the near future . PS Gheely owns 10% of Daimler

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Here is the latest Bolt battery news. It looks like Chevy will be stepping up and fixing the problem by replacing most of the batteries and taking other actions to make sure that the issue doesn't happen again. This article was in my newspaper this morning.

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Speaking of electric vehicle batteries, like the ones that GM will need to dispose of: Here is some interesting news regarding Ford and Redwood Materials building a facility to recycle EV batteries. Let's hope more manufacturers establish recycling programs besides Ford. This is something that must be done if electric vehicles are not to result in both landfill pollution and the problems associated with mining lithium and other battery materials. In addition, I hope that someone also establishes a recycling plant that will recycle all types of lithium batteries and not just ones sold by Ford or another automotive brand.

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My newspaper yesterday contained an article written by Jamie L. LaReau and published by the Detroit Free Press titled: "LG will reimburse GM $1.9 billion for cost of Chevy Bolt battery recall". That should give you the gist of the report. Here are more details contained in the article:

Besides providing owners of 2017-2019 Bolts five new enhanced battery modules, they will also receive an eight-year, or 100K mile warranty on the new battery packs.

Owners of the 2020-2022 models will also get new modules, unless GM can finish developing software first that will allow it to identify whether they have defective modules that need replacing.

GM and LG confirmed the root cause of the reported battery fires are two manufacturing defects know as a torn anode and a folded separator. Both defects must be present tin the same battery cell for a fire to occur.

So far, GM confirms that 13 Bolts have caught fire while parked, causing three injuries. Eleven of those fires were in the U.S.