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Today’s news is very bad for General Motors. Previously, the fire issues were thought to be limited to the 2017-2019 model years of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, and this issue was almost resolved. Now Chevrolet is telling us that even the most recent vehicles, including some of the 2020-2022 Bolt EVs as well as the new Bolt EUV, are at risk of igniting. As I’ll explain, this takes the Bolt EV fire problem from bad to worse for the company.
Background
The problem started in 2020 after 5 Bolt EVs caught fire. All of these vehicles were from the 2017-19 model years, and the initial recall was for these vehicles. When vehicles were 100% loaded, they presented a fire hazard. So GM initially asked people to keep vehicles below 90% while they worked on a fix.
The issue appeared to be related to the recall of vehicles from other manufacturers that also purchased battery cells from LG Chem, but at first GM determined that it did not need to replace the cells like others did. manufacturers because the issues were different with the cells he purchased. I found GM’s story questionable at this point, and I wondered if this story was going to last, or if it should go down the same path as Hyundai and start replacing the batteries. I said at the time:
What we don’t know is what happens when Chevrolet’s software detects potential issues. I’m assuming the car will throw a trouble code and possibly show an on-screen warning saying to go to a dealership for a check. At this point, GM may need to replace some cells or the entire pack to ensure safety.
If only a few cars have problems, it won’t hurt GM, and if the software works well, it will prevent future fires, so no one will be hurt. If the problem worsens over time and affects more vehicles, it will be a big deal for GM and the customers involved.
A software update was released to monitor cells and give an early warning of fire issues, and that satisfied the initial recall, so I seemed wrong at first. GM’s software update should have been good enough if the company was willing to put its reputation on the line, right? It turned out that a software recall was not enough and the fires continued to occur. Just a few days ago, GM announced that it would have to start replacing at least some of the battery packs in vehicles, but it is still receiving recall letters and is expected to kick off the replacement packs as well.
Until today, the company was still at least able to tell people interested in purchasing a new 2022 Bolt (or one of the many 2020 and 2021 bolts still stuck on dealer lots) that the fire only affected older models. The new one they’re trying to sell you? It has different battery cells, so don’t worry. Sale made, all is well.
This is now a problem for new Bolt electric vehicles, and even for the EUV “Crossover” model.
Now GM says LG battery cell issues include these newer vehicles.
“As part of GM’s commitment to safety, experts from GM and LG have identified the simultaneous presence of two rare manufacturing defects in the same battery cell as the primary cause of battery fires in certain Chevrolet Bolts EV. As a result, GM will be recalling the Bolt EV (2017-2022) and Bolt EUV (2022) to address the risk of battery fires in these vehicles. the company’s website says.
It also looks like there is no chance of a software update and GM will be replacing the packs.
As a precaution, GM will replace the faulty lithium-ion battery modules in the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUVs with new lithium-ion modules. We will notify customers when spare parts are ready. We ask customers to take the following actions until the new remedy has been effected:
1. Set your vehicle to 90% state-of-charge limitation using Hilltop Reserve Mode (for 2017-2018 model years) or Target Charge Level mode (for 2019-2022 model year). Instructions on how to do this are available in the video below. If you are unable to make these changes successfully, or if you are uncomfortable making these changes, GM asks you to visit your dealership to have these adjustments made.
2. Charge your vehicle more frequently and avoid depleting your battery below approximately 70 miles (113 kilometers) of remaining range, if possible.
3. Park your vehicle outdoors immediately after charging and do not leave your vehicle charged indoors overnight.
There is no currently announced timeline for when GM will replace these batteries, or how much time customers will have to go without their cars during the repair process. They mention replacing modules, so it can take a considerable amount of time to put down a pack, replace its innards and put it back in place compared to just swapping out an entire pack.
Why it’s really bad for GM’s EV effort
Until now, it was possible to say that Bolt’s fire issues only applied to previous model years and that repair efforts were underway for these vehicles. If the new vehicles were not affected, that would mean that future Ultium vehicles (something GM is also working on with LG) would also not be affected. It’s a great place to be.
Now, uncertainty hangs over all of GM’s current plans, because if even the latest LG cells from the Bolt EUV are in danger of being set on fire, then Ultium is also now an open question. Does this bad news mean the Hummer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, Silverado EV and other models are going to be at risk as well? What about the rest of Bolt EV and EUV production? No one has any way of knowing yet.
If GM is smart, that will pretty quickly explain how Ultium cells differ from current LG cells (assuming they are) and do other things to reassure customers that upcoming vehicles will not be subject to a recall and a similar fire spell. If GM isn’t smart, it will let this situation escalate and let the entire EV effort get the same fiery reputation as the Fiero.
The ball is in GM’s court. Hopefully it will work out.
Featured Image: Photo of GM’s new Bolt EUV and Bolt EV.
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