GM crafting plan to halt Volt’s battery in crashes

11/18/2011

DETROIT -- General Motors Co. is developing ways to discharge the battery in Chevrolet Volts after accidents to prevent fires such as the one that followed a government crash test of the plug-in hybrid car in May.

The Detroit-based automaker has taken longer to develop a plan than Nissan Motor Co. did for its Leaf electric car. Both the Volt and Leaf went on sale in December, 2010.

Standard procedures for handling wrecked vehicles are intended to keep rescue workers, dealers, and auto salvagers safe and head off potential fires.