Second investigation launched into L-Ion batteries

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) is reportedly looking into the safety of lithium-ion batteries used in electric automobiles. The action identified by Bloomberg tipsters comes in the aftermath of a recent battery fire involving a Chevy Volt. The scope of investigation will most probably include plug-in vehicles from Nissan and Ford, as well as other General Motors subsidiaries.

The investigation was literally sparked after a Chevy Volt involved in a side-impact crash test later caught fire at a NHTSA facility. The fire spread to several other cars parked next to the serial hybrid.

Officially, the NHTSA states that “does not believe the Volt or other electric vehicles are at a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles."

However, this is not the first time that the NHTSA has looked into a car fire involving an electronic vehicle with lithium-ion batteries, which can sometimes overheat or ignite if they encounter a particularly violent impact. The agency is still investigating an incident earlier this year involving a Volt in a North Carolina garage. [via Leftlane News]

By Electronista Staff

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