# GM's Electric Vehicles

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [October 9, 2021, 1:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874 "2021-10-09T13:32:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2021, 1:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/1 "2021-10-09T13:32:45Z")

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GM is making a huge push in the electric car market. I hope they succeed. They have the engineering and manufacturing to make it succeed. We’ll see.

[GM Electric Vehicles](https://qz.com/2070635/gms-electric-suv-is-10000-cheaper-than-the-tesla-model-3/?fbclid=IwAR03p8anAyTLEegF7Pav7vXtOtx_T-H18RWt5H07_SB5o96G5Bt-t0Nhapc)

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2021, 1:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/2 "2021-10-09T13:39:53Z")

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Me too. There are a lot of domestic jobs at stake, and entire communities that host these plants are hinged to GMs success. This can be said for any EV manufacturer with US plants, but we are talking GM here.

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2021, 2:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/3 "2021-10-09T14:02:57Z")

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If I wasn’t near the end of my career I’d leave the Telecom industry and work in the automotive industry. This field looks extremely great for Software Engineers (like me) who like cars. One of the greatest Software Engineers of our time [Dave Cutler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Cutler) who I had the pleasure to work with a little when I worked a Dec was also a car-buff. Even owned his own Race team.

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2021, 2:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/4 "2021-10-09T14:12:12Z")

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You could try a consulting deal if you think your experience directly you relates to an aspect of EVs. That depends, of course, on your appetite for work after retirement. I plan to retire in two years, and don’t have plans for consulting work. We’ll see how I feel about it after I retire. Work’s fun, I have a good reputation (no, really!), and could easily find something. I’ve already done consulting in a small way, but could probably fill my dance card if I wanted to. I’m sure you could too.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/5 "2021-10-09T15:29:11Z")

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GM sure has stubbed its EV toe on the Bolt, though. Huge battery recalls because of fires. Not good.

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**Author:** ![bscar2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar2/32/2468_2.png) [@bscar2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar2)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/6 "2021-10-09T16:53:29Z")

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Yeah, I think it was pretty much every Bolt made, mine included.

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2021, 11:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/7 "2021-10-09T23:58:54Z")

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They aren’t the only ones with battery fires. In 2019 NHTSA started a probe of Tesla S and X models for fires not related to accidents. There are many other brands of PHEV and EV cars that experienced fires as well.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2021, 1:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/8 "2021-10-10T01:37:56Z")

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True, others have had battery fire related recalls. But none had to recall 100% of their cars, did they?

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**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 12:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/9 "2021-10-11T00:47:35Z")

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Why not keep the Bolts they are and install a fire sprinkler system in the garage? It seems like a cheaper option than replacing a battery that must cost over $5000.

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**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/10 "2021-10-11T01:11:42Z")

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As I read about electrical fires in EVs, I began to think about fires in cars powered by internal combustion engines. I wonder what percentage of fires in these cars are caused by electrical problems as opposed to other causes.

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**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 1:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/11 "2021-10-11T01:21:14Z")

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A lot of them are caused by electronics. But it rarely happens when the car is parked. That’s the difference! Ford went through this when the 1997 F-150 had an alarm system that would start the truck on fire. Their suggestion was to park it outside in the driveway.

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 1:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/12 "2021-10-11T01:23:33Z")

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> [@InvisibleSnowman](#):
>
> Why not keep the Bolts they are and install a fire sprinkler system in the garage?

Are you trying to make a joke ?

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 1:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/13 "2021-10-11T01:32:28Z")

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> [@InvisibleSnowman](#):
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> install a fire sprinkler system in the garage

Because it take thousands of gallons to put out a lithium ion battery car fire. At least 2 orders of magnitude more than a home water system can supply.

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**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/14 "2021-10-11T01:35:13Z")

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Do you have any evidence to back up the claim that a sprinkler system would be insufficient to prevent an electric car fire from spreading to the rest of the building? Are you just against the idea because I said it?

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 1:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/15 "2021-10-11T01:58:38Z")

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Yes, here…

> **[Federal regulators warn of risks to firefighters from electrical vehicle fires](https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/federal-regulators-warn-risks-firefighters-electrical-vehicle-fires-n1271084)**
>
> Lithium-ion batteries pose a unique threat, and most first responders are not prepared.

A quick search will supply a number of articles. It has been in the news quite a lot. Li-ion batteries have their own oxidizers so even smothering the car in CO2 they keep burning until the car is a puddle. If in an attached garage, they will take your house up in flames as well.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 2:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/16 "2021-10-11T02:25:07Z")

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> [@InvisibleSnowman](#):
>
> Are you just against the idea because I said it?

Can’t speak for Mr. Mustang but I am against it because it is not going to work and that you said it.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 2:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/18 "2021-10-11T02:42:41Z")

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> [@InvisibleSnowman](#):
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> The problem is that the batteries are in a sealed compartment. I

No, the problem is the self-igniting nature of the fire. Cool off a gas fire, extinguish the flames, you’re done. Not the case with the chemically-fueled battery fire.

But I’m wasting my time, the only opinion you care about is yours.

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**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 3:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/19 "2021-10-11T03:02:47Z")

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> [@texases](#):
>
> But I’m wasting my time, the only opinion you care about is yours.

I say it is about time to quit wasting time and just ignore all comments from ///IS\. Reminds me of the guy a while back [I can’t recall the name] but the one about keeping your car wet.that ended up getting booted from the forum.

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 3:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/20 "2021-10-11T03:07:56Z")

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> [@Mustangman](#):
>
> Because it take thousands of gallons to put out a lithium ion battery car fire. At least 2 orders of magnitude more than a home water system can supply.

Not to mention that some people (like me) have a well system. Many homes with very deep wells don’t have the same water pressure like a municipality would.

I also think in 5-10 years with newer battery technology this argument will be moot.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 3:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gms-electric-vehicles/179874/21 "2021-10-11T03:42:54Z")

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> [@InvisibleSnowman](#):
>
> Unfortunately handling a variety of situations with many variables, instead of a textbook situation like they trained for, doesn’t seem to be one of the strong points of fire fighters. Here in the US such jobs are often done by people who couldn’t make it through college.

What a stunningly terrible thing to say! @cdaquila , I think some action is needed.

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