U.S. ends Chevy Volt battery fire probe

Probe of Volt fires ends: “Based on the available data, NHTSA does not believe that Chevy Volts or other electric vehicles pose a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles.” And no, nobody ordered us to say that. You can trust us, we’re best friends with another government agency that owns 32% of GM stock, and we work for the golf-playing egomaniacal doofus who ordered them to buy it.

Bonfire of the Absurdities: After 35 year career writing software for IBM mainframes, am now self-employed contractor thinking of joining a union and striking for higher wages. Cured morbid fear of heights when I learned to look at them as lengths standing on end. Uncompromising in refusal to accept browser cookies. Amateur investor who has accumulated a small fortune in the market after starting out years ago with a large one. For recreation, I run, hike, kayak and play tennis but will not consider synchronized swimming under any circumstances.

View Comments (11)

  • Just got done wiring up the spot lights on the bike, they are bright enough to melt the Obama sticker off the bumper of a Chevy volt.

  • Can you imagine the massive hoards and hoards of papershuffling bureaucrats that would be hired to investigate this until hell freezes over if only it was built by Toyota or some other quality car builder?

  • Gas + air = no combustion
    lithium ion + air = fire

    Yup these materials are no more dangerous than ones that require a spark before they ignite.

  • This is good news! Government investigation by government agency clears government-made car. How could anyone have a problem with that?

  • The Chevy volt is safe, as long as you take the following precautions:

    Drive or ride in it only while wearing a nomex firesuit and shoes and a crash helmet.
    Do not crash.
    Park only in a well ventilated area, preferably the middle of a paved vacant lot.
    Do not recharge it, if it must be recharged do so only at your local fire department.
    Purchase and keep a fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires in the vehicle.
    Purchase the optional emergency ejection seats.
    Upgrade your life insurance.
    Read and follow all label instructions.
    Now enjoy your Volt, as we say at Chevy, "See the U.S.A. in a flaming Chevrolet!"

  • "Volt" -- Chevy for "Pinto."

    Yeah come to think of it, where's Nader on this? Or did he kick the bucketso long ago I've forgottenabout it?