After a Chevrolet Volt that was in storage at National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) facilities spontaneously caught on fire, the goverment agency and General Motors are both launching an investigation into the cause of the fire.
The Volt caught fire weeks after being crashed as part of the NHTSA safety tests, prompting questions about the safety of electric cars post-crash. The NHTSA believes that the issue was caused by a coolant line in the car's battery, but is investigating the issue further. The group says that drivers who have not crashed their Volt have no cause for concern, and the incident has not yet happened outside of testing conditions.
Still, GM is taking no chances about consumer anxiety. The company says that any driver who feels uncomfortable with their Volt is entitled to a free loaner car from the company until the matter is fully investigated.
"Our customers' peace of mind is too important to us for there to be any concern or any worry. This technology should inspire confidence and pride, not raise any concern or doubt," said Mark Reuss, president of GM.
Drivers who want to avoid collisions or other safety problems should be sure to keep up with their auto maintenance, as this can prevent critical parts of the car from malfunctioning out on the road.