DETROIT — Ten months after the Chevrolet Bolt’s preliminary recall, Common Motors has outlined two options to remove hearth threat: module replacements beginning subsequent month and new diagnostic software program that identifies doubtlessly harmful anomalies or broken batteries, the automaker mentioned Monday.
GM plans to ship battery module replacements to sellers in mid-October and launch its diagnostic software program, put in by sellers, within the subsequent 60 days.
The drawn-out Bolt recall has turn out to be a black eye for GM and diminished belief amongst many shoppers because the automaker goals for an all-electric lineup by 2035 and rolls out a brand new era of EVs, beginning with the GMC Hummer pickup this fall. The module alternative and diagnostic software program mark GM’s subsequent attempt at a repair after a separate software program replace, introduced in April, failed to forestall battery fires.
Battery provider LG has restarted manufacturing at its crops in Holland and Hazel Park, Mich., and the provider is including capability to offer extra battery cells to GM, in line with a press release.
GM final month expanded a recall of the Bolt EV and EUV to incorporate all mannequin years — greater than 110,000 vehicles within the U.S. The recall is costing GM $1.8 billion, although a lot of the associated fee will doubtless be lined by provider LG. Sellers should not permitted to promote the Bolts till they’ve utilized the recall restore, which varies by mannequin yr.
All Bolts are powered by GM’s previous-generation battery structure, not the proprietary Ultium battery that can energy its future EV lineup, which incorporates the GMC Hummer pickup and SUV, Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Silverado EV.
Bolt batteries manufactured by LG and provided to GM could have two manufacturing defects, a torn anode fab and a folded separator, in the identical battery cell, which will increase the danger of a fireplace, GM mentioned. The defects have brought on not less than 12 GM-confirmed fires.
“We’re grateful for the endurance of householders and sellers as we work to advance options to this recall,” Doug Parks, GM government vice chairman, world product growth, buying and provide chain, mentioned in a press release. “Resuming battery module manufacturing is a primary step and we’ll proceed to work aggressively with LG to acquire further battery provide. As well as, we’re optimistic a brand new superior diagnostic software program will present extra comfort for our clients.”
GM’s new software program will probably be designed to identify particular abnormalities that would detect a broken battery by monitoring efficiency, alerting clients of abnormalities and prioritizing broken battery modules for alternative.
As soon as the diagnostic processes are full, GM believes clients will be capable of drive their Bolts totally charged, relatively than comply with the recall steering of 90 p.c.
GM will exchange all modules within the 2017-2019 fashions, however solely faulty modules within the 2020-2022 Bolts. Batteries with the brand new modules will include an 8-year/100,000-mile restricted guarantee, GM mentioned.
Chevy sellers will set up the software program on 2017-19 fashions ready on module replacements, and it’ll run the software program on 2020-22 fashions to find out whether or not they want module replacements. If the diagnostics on the 2020-22 fashions present no abnormalities, clients will be capable of drive, cost and park their autos as ordinary, with out following the recall steering.
For 2017-19 Bolt homeowners who should obtain module replacements, the alternative timeline will probably be primarily based on autos’ construct window and the proprietor’s charging conduct. House owners who run their batteries to zero after which totally cost will get replacements first as a result of these habits add to fireplace threat, mentioned spokesman Kevin Kelly.
GM’s Orion Meeting in Michigan, which builds the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV, has been down since Aug. 23 and can stay idle till not less than Oct. 15 as GM and LG work on the battery packs.