GM tells Bolt EV owners to park away from vehicles on bridges

WASHINGTON, Sept.15 (Reuters) – General Motors Co (GM.N) on Wednesday recommended that owners of Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles park on decks on the top floor or on an open level, at least 50 feet from other vehicles, citing potential fire hazards.

The precaution “would reduce potential damage to nearby structures and vehicles in the rare event of a potential fire,” a company spokesperson said in an email. GM sent a notice to consumers who asked about the parking issues, he added.

GM had previously instructed owners to park Bolt vehicles outside, away from structures, and not to charge them overnight.

GM also urged owners not to leave Bolt EVs charging unattended, even if they are using a charging station in a parking lot. Bloomberg News reported the recommendation earlier.

In August, GM extended its Bolt recall to more than 140,000 vehicles to replace battery modules, at a cost now estimated at $ 1.8 billion after reports of 10 fires. The automaker has said it will seek a refund from GM battery supplier LG (003550.KS).

Last week, America’s largest automaker announced it would extend the shutdown of a Michigan assembly plant by two weeks following the recall of the Bolt battery issue.

GM said the extended production shutdown at its Orion assembly plant that will last at least September 24 was “the result of a battery shortage” linked to the recall.

GM will not resume production or sales of Bolt until it is satisfied that the use of the recall resolves the fire risk problem, he added.

Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Richard Chang

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