Electric cars are on the rise as an alternative for gas vehicles. Manufacturers claim they are more environmentally-friendly than gas-guzzling counterparts. In fact, the State of California is working to phase out gas-powered cars by 2035.
However, it is important to note that new technology can bring new challenges and errors. This has been true for Tesla, and now for Chevrolet’s Bolt.
General Motors recently recalled close to 70,000 Chevrolet Bolt electric cars. The recall includes Chevrolet Bolt models from 2017 to 2019. At least five Bolt batteries have caught fire, and the cause is still undetermined. Two people have suffered smoke inhalation. One sudden fire even caused a house to burn.
General Motors stated that its engineers are working tirelessly to discover the problem. Until the issue is identified, regulators are advising that car owners park their vehicles outside until the recall repair is made. During the repair, the dealers will install software that limits the battery’s charging capacity to 90% until a permanent solution is found.
Just one month ago, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, announced the investigation of these recent fires. NHTSA reported that the fires begin under the rear seat of the Bolt. “These vehicles can catch fire even if they are turned off, parked, and disconnected from a charging unit,” stated NHTSA.
What we do know is that the fires occur when the batteries are close to full-charge. If you own a Bolt, GM is advising you to manually change the adjustable settings to restrict the batteries from charging to 100%. If you are unable to do this, you should park your vehicle outside and contact a dealer as soon as possible.
Contact Gokal Law
If you have experienced an accident caused by a defective vehicle such as a Chevrolet Bolt, be sure to contact Gokal Law Group, Inc. The courteous and knowledgeable staff at the firm will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to schedule a free consultation, or give us a call at (949) 753-9100.
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