Chevy Volt Again Suspected in House Fire

National Legal & Policy Center ^ | November 6, 2011 | Mark Modica

[jazusamo]

Cars in Depth reports that the Chevy Volt and it's charging station are suspected as possible causes for a house fire that started in the garage of a Mooresville, NC home. According to the report, investigators found a Volt plugged into a charging station located in the burned out garage. The Iredell County Fire Marshal's office investigating the fire states, "The charging station was in the known area of origin, but the cause of the fire has not been officially determined."

The Cars in Depth story goes on to say that the actual brand of the car plugged into the charger unit was not mentioned in news reports. However, General Motors is involved in the investigation. There is a worrisome possibility that Government Motors is working hard to quiet stories that raise the possibility of fire hazards that arise from the Chevy Volt's charging phase. Siemens, the builder of the charging station that was being used to charge the vehicle, is also involved in the investigation along with the Department of Energy and Duke Power.

The first fire that occurred in a Connecticut garage where a Chevy Volt was being charged (in photo) was quickly glossed over with a dismissal of anyone who mentioned that the Volt may have been the cause, even after the vehicle ignited for a second time after the fire was out. While there may not have been conclusive evidence that the Volt started the fire, the speed in which the fire department investigating the incident stepped away from the investigation and allowed GM to take over raises concerns. There have also been reports of defective Volt charging cords overheating, as reported in this cars.com piece, that have gotten little publicity. The question arises, just how far will GM, the Obama Administration and green ideologues go to prove that the Chevy Volt (as well as electric cars in general) is the future of the American auto industry?

Fluffing up the perception of huge demand for the Volt is one thing, but there should be no compromises when it comes to the safety of Americans who buy into the hype of the Chevy Volt and purchase the vehicles. All taxpayers are paying to subsidize purchases of the Volt and plug-in charging stations; it would be a shame to see that the money usurped is putting people at risk. And I'm sure those burning garages leave a bit of a carbon footprint on our environment. Most importantly, any fires involving a Chevy Volt should be fully investigated by authorities without the influence of powerful Government Motors officials. Reports should be made public and organizations like Consumer Reports should be careful in recommending the vehicle to the public before the facts are in. There are many reasons to question the wisdom of attempting to electrify America's auto fleet at the expense of taxpayers, safety concerns are now high up on the list.

Mark Modica is an NLPC Associate Fellow.

[jazusamo]

Mark Modica makes a valid point on the first garage fire with a Chevy Volt involved regarding the involvement of GM in the investigation. The fire occured on April 14, 2011.

excerpt:

April 20, 2011|By JANICE PODSADA, jpodsada@courant.com, The Hartford Courant

State fire marshals have wrapped up their investigation of a Barkhamsted fire that destroyed a garage housing two electric cars, a do-it-yourself-conversion and a new Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in electric hybrid.

Fire marshals say the investigation into the cause of the fire is now in the hands of the insurance company and General Motors Corp, which manufactures the Volt, and the owner's insurer.

Barkhamsted Garage Fire Investigation Involving Chevrolet Volt Now in Hands of General Motors and Insurer, State Fire Marshals Say

[Jonty30]

Whoops.

I guess nobody saw the possibility of electrical fires in a vehicle that needs a 200 volt plug-in to charge.

[vg0va3]

The first thing that comes to mind is the way Rush Limbaugh always points out that those SUV’s are killing people on the roads. Except now the Volt has a lighter and catches the house on fire at night while the chil-ren are sleeping.

I wouldn’t buy one of these pieces of garbage because they are made by Government Motors Corp!

[Baynative]

Change ‘Chevy’ to Ford or BMW and this story would be running on every network around the clock.

[Vaduz]

Increase in home insurance cost to ensue.

[jazusamo]

You’re exactly right, the enemedia has almost completely ignored this incident.

[annieokie]

Guess they didn’t have those new “screwy” light bulbs installed to prevent the overcharge/sarc bigtime.

[jagusafr]

Move along, nothing to see here. Sux bein’ the people who have to ‘splain how this is really no big deal...

[Sacajaweau]

We had a BIG fire at a station that was installed for filling government vehicles. I'm sure the entire station was subsidized as well as the vehicles.

Insurance?? I'm sure....and probably Lloyds.

[Pecos]

The fire was obviously an illusion dreamed up by the reactionaries of the Washington Times and Fox News.

[Secret Agent Man]

Bet that fire really negated all their car’s low carbon emissions.

And no I wasn’t counting the power company’s emissions to give them the “clean” power to charge their car.

[fhayek]

Shouldn't Ralph Nader be looking into this? Unsafe at Any Electrical Outlet.

[throwback]

Was there a butt left smoldering in the ash tray? Dumb question. Since these are green, they probably come with a bong attached to the dashboard, like the VW flower vase.

[Pollster1]

I wouldn’t buy one of these pieces of garbage because they are made by Government Motors Corp!

I'm with you. From November of 2008 until I die, there is no situation in which I would buy a GM or Chrysler for any reason and at any price. Those companies deserve to die for their massive corruption, and I will not do anything that prolongs their well-deserved death.

[Venturer]

I would suggest you be sure the floor is dry, and your hands dry when you plug that bad boy in.It might not hurt to not plug it in right after driving in the rain either.

I know a 12 volt charger can give you a thrill.

[Leep]

The Chevy Volt is on fire! (not in a good way)

[liberalh8ter]

Now, if only the Prius could develop the same malady.

[Charles Martel]

Just as in the case of Jimmy Carter, another 1970s icon - the Ford Pinto - is seeing its reputation improved by comparison.

[twistedwrench]

Following 3,600 acre fire, CARB orders suspension of two DPFs
http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2011/Sep11/092611/092711-05.shtml

[CrazyIvan]

I guess nobody saw the possibility of electrical fires in a vehicle that needs a 200 volt plug-in to charge.

I wonder if the owner wired the charging station themselves.
The type that buys something like this tend to not be very
technically gifted. I had a greeny lib once tell me I was
polluting by riding my BMW bike because they thought all
motorcycles were 2 strokes. (actually they said “because you
have to mix oil with the gas”). I have seen lots of fork-
lift stations and wired a couple myself and have never seen
a problem with them.