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To be on the safe side, GM recommends Chevrolet Bolt EV owners leave enough space around their vehicle wherever they choose to park. GM is not aware of any fires that have occurred when customers followed these safety guidelines, in parking lots or otherwise.
File photo: Ports Authority of New York and New Jersey
General Motors presented a comprehensive action plan on September 20 to ensure customers can safely and confidently drive, charge and park Chevrolet Bolt EVs and EUVs, according to a press release. The action plan includes both hardware and software solutions, some of which are in place with immediate effect.
New battery production
LG battery factories in the Netherlands and Hazel Park, Michigan, have resumed production. In addition, LG is adding capacity to supply more cells to GM. As a result, replacement battery modules will begin shipping to dealers in mid-October.
The root cause of the rare circumstances that can cause a battery fire are two manufacturing defects known as the torn anode and the bent separator, both of which must be present in the same battery cell.
LG implemented new manufacturing processes and worked with GM to review and improve their quality assurance programs to help build confidence in their batteries going forward. LG will institute these new processes at other facilities that will supply cells to GM in the future.
Priority battery replacement
GM will continue to prioritize Chevy Bolt EV and EUV customers whose batteries were manufactured during specific build times where GM believes battery faults appear to be clustered. The company has implemented a notification process that will notify affected customers when their replacement modules become available.
The new batteries will include an 8 year / 100,000 mile extended limited warranty (or an 8 year / 160,000 km limited warranty in Canada).
New advanced diagnostic software
In about 60 days, GM will begin launching a new advanced diagnostic package that will increase the available battery charge parameters over existing guidelines.
Diagnostic software will be designed to detect specific anomalies that may indicate a damaged battery in Bolt EV and EUV by monitoring battery performance; alert customers to any anomalies; and prioritize damaged battery modules for replacement. It is GM’s intention that other diagnostic software will allow customers to return to 100% state of charge after all diagnostic processes are complete.
This new software, which will be provided to all Bolt EV and EUV owners, requires dealer installation. Owners will be able to begin planning for installation at their Chevrolet EV dealership in approximately 60 days.
Updated parking guide
If customers follow GM’s instructions posted below, they can park at a location of their choice. As a precaution, GM recommends that customers leave sufficient space around their vehicles wherever they choose to park. GM is not aware of any fires that have occurred when customers followed these safety guidelines, in parking lots or otherwise.
GM’s instructions remain:
- Set the vehicle to 90% state-of-charge limitation using the target charge level mode. Instructions on how to do this are available at chevy.com/boltevrecall. If customers are unable to make these changes successfully or feel uncomfortable making these changes, GM directs them to visit their dealership to have these adjustments made.
- Charge the vehicle more frequently and avoid depleting the battery below approximately 70 miles (113 km) of remaining range, if possible.
- Continue to park vehicles outdoors immediately after charging and do not leave charged vehicles indoors overnight.
Customers with additional questions can visit www.chevy.com/boltevrecall or contact Chevrolet EV Concierge 1-833-EVCHEVY (available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to midnight ET; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. ET) or contact their preferred Chevrolet EV dealer.
Canadian customers can visit the Chevrolet Owners Center or contact their preferred dealer.
“We appreciate the patience of owners and dealers as we work to advance solutions to this recall,” said Doug Parks, executive vice president of global product development, purchasing and supply chain. from GM, in the press release. “Resuming production of battery modules is a first step and we will continue to work aggressively with LG to secure additional battery supply. In addition, we are optimistic that new advanced diagnostic software will provide more convenience to our customers.
Originally posted on Loaded Fleet
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