Forum discussing electric car battery safety announced
A forum discussing the safety issues surrounding the lithium ion batteries that power electric cars will be held next month, according to an announcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the agency in charge of regulating vehicle safety in the United States. The announcement comes nearly one year after the original reports of Chevrolet’s electric-powered Volt catching fire in collision tests were released. Federal officials and representatives of carmakers and battery manufacturers will meet next month to discuss the potential dangers associated with lithium ion batteries. Last year, reports were made public of a Volt catching fire after a collision test at the traffic safety administration’s Wisconsin testing facilities, prompting a General Motors executive to testify about the issue before members of the United States House of Representatives. The automaker also allowed customers leasing the vehicles to return them. More recently, Fisker Automotive announced a recall of electric batteries manufactured by A123 Systems Incorporated after a Fisker Karma, which retails for more than $100,000, became inoperable during a Consumer Reports test drive due to a battery malfunction. The development of electric cars is a top priority of the Energy Department’s plans for the future of transportation.
As a personal injury attorney in Burlingame, I hope that cars of the future are safer than the cars of today. If you have been involved in a collision involving any sort of vehicle, please consider contacting a Burlingame auto accident lawyer.
