The Biden Administration’s demand that 50% of U.S. motor vehicles be fully electric by 2030 is being defied by reality. The rash of reported vehicle fires and losses of power has caused Chevrolet to stop EV production and recall 69,000 Chevy Bolts, following recalls of more than 130,000 EVs by Hyundai, Ford, Volvo and BMW. One well-publicized fire of a Bolt while charging—after it had been serviced in the recall in Spring 2021—was that of Vermont State Senator Timothy Briglin, who had been a strong advocate of the technology. On Aug. 21, General Motors, which made the electric motor for Chevrolet, expanded the Chevrolet recall to include all Bolt EVs.
Recalls with new technologies are common, but the problem of EV fires is a very serious one. They are extremely difficult to put out, repeatedly reigniting for many hours after being extinguished, typically require 10,000 gallons of water to be applied to do so, and have required special training in fire departments across the United States. The car’s cable harness may still be carrying high voltage, much higher than in an internal combustion engine-powered vehicle. If the car is being charged in a garage when the lithium battery ignites, it sets the house on fire.
