U.S. opening formal probe into GM Volt fire risk

Reuters ^

[Sub-Driver]

U.S. opening formal probe into GM Volt fire risk Photo 5:46pm EST

(Reuters) - U.S. auto safety regulators are opening a formal investigation into fire risks in General Motors' Volt vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Friday it was taking the step after efforts to recreate a May crash test saw fires result from two out of three crash tests performed this month.

"While it is too soon to tell whether the investigation will lead to a recall of any vehicles or parts, if NHTSA identifies an unreasonable risk to safety, the agency will take immediate action to notify consumers and ensure that GM communicates with current vehicle owners," the agency said.

Earlier this month, NHTSA disclosed that it was probing the safety of batteries used to power electric vehicles after fire broke out in a Volt battery pack three weeks after a side-impact crash test.

[Sub-Driver]

Money down the drain........But it's Green!

[federal__reserve]

I would avoid flying in an aircraft made by Government Aircrafts Co.

[DBrow]

Funny that there does not seem to be as much press about this, as the (no-union) Toyota sticky gas pedal. They even had daily victims talking about the horror they went through!

[InterceptPoint]

I’ll save those “Formal Probers” some time by writing the Executive Summary of their final report for them.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
It’s Bush’s fault.

[elkfersupper]

Let me get this straight.

You have the government investigating itself.

That's gonna' work.

[truthguy]

The Volt Fire in North Carolina was determined to be caused by electrical wiring problems and DID NOT start in the Volt. The other fire stated when the Volt was being charged along with another electrical vehicle in a garage. I think in this case we will also find out that the electrical Circuits were overloaded and that caused the fire.

The whole plan of this is to try to draw a lot of attention to a non-problem and thereby hurt the Volt. All of these examples about the Volt have shown to be false or exaggerated thus far. There are many people who are wishing and hoping for the Volt to be a failure even though it was conceived of and put into development before Obama was ever elected. Most of the comments are out of ignorance.

The Volt ought to be a source of pride for Americans, but many are trying to tear it down. They have bad mouthed the vehicle without ever driving it or even having known someone who owns or has driven one. Many of the negative comments are coming from people who have not even seen a Volt. Just ask Volt owners how they feel about their vehicles. That's the true test.

Boy, I sure glad I drive a car that uses gasoline. I'm sure a fire never has started in one of those cars. (Yes, I know the Volt uses gas too).

[EGPWS]

You have the government investigating itself.

I guess we can anticipate the outcome of THAT investigation.

[Wissa]

The Volt ought to be a source of pride for Americans, but many are trying to tear it down.

"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Friday it was taking the step after efforts to recreate a May crash test saw fires result from two out of three crash tests performed this month."

Yeah. We should take really take pride that one out of the three DIDN'T catch fire.

Just ask Volt owners how they feel about their vehicles. That's the true test.

I'm sure they rave about their tofu turkeys too... which would be fine with me, as long as they don't take my tax dollars to subsidize their purchases.

[COBOL2Java]

You have the government investigating itself.

Hey, they can fake transparency better than anyone!

[Brownie63]

Let the coverup of Obama’s pet project at his car company - begin!

[txhurl]

When Texas commissioned a fleet of CNG trucks from GM in Dallas, a couple of explosions shut down CNG.

When an Amtrak fuel-cell engine caught fire 10 years ago, there went fuel-cell.

Seems to be a pattern: get government to push alternative transportation energy, then shut it down at the first failure.

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[editor-surveyor]

Green Fire!

[editor-surveyor]

.
The Volt ought to be a source od Utter Disgust for Americans.

Costly electric vehicles are a solution without a problem.

People need vehicles that can be depended upon in an emergency, not depended upon to create an emergency of its own.

Power grids go down constantly. they are not to be considered as a source of transportation!
.

[Jack Hammer]

Sorta reminds one of all the enthusiasm in benighted quarters for those mercury-filled “green” light bulbs.

[familyop]

Electric Car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az6kCEiJtiE

[RetiredTexasVet]

Why not just buy two Priuses instead of a Volt. Same price for two of a better car if you just have to have an electric car. One cot carry the family in and one to carry your suitcases in.

[RayChuang88]

Now we know why Toyota didn’t put in lithium-ion battery packs in the new Prius v wagon—the safety of these batteries is one good reason.

[Celtic Conservative]

When We first saw the volt come out, we all thought it was the second coming of the Edsel. Now We know it's actually the second coming of the Pinto...

CC

[shoff]

Chevy Volt the American Trabant