GM enhancing Chevy Volt following investigation

General Motors has decided to enhance the vehicle structure and battery coolant systems in Chevy Volts, a move that will further protect the battery. The enhancements will protect the battery from catching fire days or weeks after a severe crash. 

The following changes (from GM's website) include external and internal battery protection:

• "Strengthen an existing portion of the Volt's vehicle safety structure to further protect the battery pack in a severe side collision
• Add a sensor in the reservoir of the battery coolant system to monitor coolant levels
• Add a tamper-resistant bracket to the top of the battery coolant reservoir to help prevent potential coolant overfill"

"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began its preliminary evaluation on Nov. 25 following a severe-impact lab test on a battery pack that resulted in an electrical fire six days later," GM stated on its website. "The test was conducted to reproduce a coolant leak that occurred in a full-scale vehicle crash test last May that resulted in an electrical fire three weeks later."

Through the first 11 months of 2011, Volt owners drove nearly 20 million miles without an incident similar to the outcome of the tests.

"The Volt has always been safe to drive," Mary Barra said, GM senior vice president of Global Product Development. "Now, we will go the extra mile to ensure our customers' peace of mind in the days and weeks following a severe crash."

Of the enhancements being added, Barra said there are no changes to the Volt battery pack or cell chemistry.

"We have tested the Volt's battery system for more than 285,000 hours, or 25 years, of operation," Barra said. "We're as confident as ever that the cell design is among the safest on the market."

Volt customers will be individually notified when the modifications are available for their vehicles. 

Team Auto Group of Salisbury currently has three Volts... come take one for a test drive!