It may be little consolation to LG Chem, which manufactures the Chevy Volt lithium-ion pack that is currently under investigation by NHTSA, but GM’s hybrid isn’t the only one facing a battery-related fire risk.
Another maker of batteries for hybrids and electric vehicles, A123 Systems, announced that it has discovered a “potential safety issue” in batteries supplied to Fisker Automotive.
A123 Systems also provides battery packs to other carmakers and has recently announced the development of a proprietary lithium phosphate technology, which will be used by GM’s next generation of electric vehicles starting with the Spark EV, that is superior to lithium-ion batteries.
CEO of A123 Systems, David Vieau, said in a memo the problem that afflicts Fisker's luxury Karma sports sedan concerns the “misaligned” hose clamps of the battery pack cooling system
This may cause a coolant leak, which in turn, can lead to an electrical short circuit – something that you definitely don’t won’t in any car, let alone in one sporting a battery pack bellow the floorpan.
Vieau said that less than 50 cars were affected and that A123 Systems has “already developed a confirmed repair for this situation”, which is already implemented. He added that, despite this setback, his company’s relationship with Fisker “remains strong”.
The first Karma rolled off the production line of Valmet in Finland last March, but deliveries of the US$97,000 extended-range plug-in hybrid began in October.
Current production rate of the Karma is 25 units a day and may rise to 60 units in 2012, according to company founder and CEO Henrik Fisker.
This is the second setback for the Karma, which it saw its announced 100 MPGe (2.3 lt/100 km) consumption practically halved by the EPA after it was certified at 52 MPGe (4.5 lt/100 km).
Story References: Bloomberg
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