Prototype EV Battery Explodes
at GM Michigan Research Lab
Tiffany Kaiser -- April 11, 2012
GM says the battery had nothing to do with the Chevrolet Volt.
A prototype electric vehicle (EV) battery exploded at a General Motors plant in Michigan this morning, seriously injuring one auto worker.
The explosion occurred at a General Motors Technical Center battery research lab in Warren, Michigan at approximately 8:45 a.m. The Warren Fire Department and authorities were called immediately to investigate.
The building was safely evacuated, with only one employee requiring treatment. Four other employees were evaluated at the scene and did not require further treatment, according to GM.
It was discovered that a small fire had started due to "extreme testing of a prototype battery."
"We are aware of an incident this morning at about 8:45 a.m. in one of the laboratories at the Alternative Energy Center at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Mich.," said GM in a statement. "Fire and emergency authorities were called to the scene. The building was evacuated. All employees have been accounted for. We are aware of five employees being evaluated on scene by medical personnel and only one employee is being further treated."
The one employee that required further treatment is expected to make a full recovery, with some chemical burns and a possible concussion.
Warren Mayor James Fouts visited the GM site after the explosion for a further look, and said there was plenty of damage and a chemical smell at the scene.
"I just want to say how very fortunate we are that only one person was seriously injured," said Fouts. "There were 80 people in that building, but only one person received a possible concussion and some chemical burns, from what I've been told.
"It was significant structural damage. Three very large windows were blown out and thick, fortified doors were forced open by the blast. Our fire commissioner said the blast went straight up in the area where they test lithium batteries. The building was stuffed with personnel and equipment, but it was designed very well."
GM wouldn't say exactly what kind of battery exploded, but mentioned that it was built by A123 Systems and was going through tests that were meant to stress the battery. GM made sure to note that the battery was not Chevrolet Volt related.
"The incident was unrelated to the Chevy Volt or any other production vehicle," said GM in a statement. "The incident was related to extreme testing on a prototype battery."
GM is likely making sure to protect its Volt against any more bad publicity than it has already received in the past year. Back in May 2011, a Chevrolet Volt caught fire after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a side-impact crash test on the vehicle. It caught fire while parked in the Wisconsin testing facility.
This incident prompted an investigation of the safety of lithium batteries used for EVs. In November 2011, three more Volts were tested by the NHTSA, and two out of three either sparked or caught fire while the third remained normal.
"We're not yet able to confirm that it was a battery per se, but it was in one specific lab in the advanced research building," said Wilbert McAdams, Warren fire commissioner. "There's water damage to the building and OSHA will have to be called in because a person was injured."
McAdams is referring to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is currently inspecting the situation.
http://www.dailytech.com/Prototype+EV+Battery+Explodes+at+GM+Michigan+Research+Lab+/article24446.htm
at GM Michigan Research Lab
Tiffany Kaiser -- April 11, 2012
GM says the battery had nothing to do with the Chevrolet Volt.
A prototype electric vehicle (EV) battery exploded at a General Motors plant in Michigan this morning, seriously injuring one auto worker.
The explosion occurred at a General Motors Technical Center battery research lab in Warren, Michigan at approximately 8:45 a.m. The Warren Fire Department and authorities were called immediately to investigate.
The building was safely evacuated, with only one employee requiring treatment. Four other employees were evaluated at the scene and did not require further treatment, according to GM.
It was discovered that a small fire had started due to "extreme testing of a prototype battery."
"We are aware of an incident this morning at about 8:45 a.m. in one of the laboratories at the Alternative Energy Center at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Mich.," said GM in a statement. "Fire and emergency authorities were called to the scene. The building was evacuated. All employees have been accounted for. We are aware of five employees being evaluated on scene by medical personnel and only one employee is being further treated."
The one employee that required further treatment is expected to make a full recovery, with some chemical burns and a possible concussion.
Warren Mayor James Fouts visited the GM site after the explosion for a further look, and said there was plenty of damage and a chemical smell at the scene.
"I just want to say how very fortunate we are that only one person was seriously injured," said Fouts. "There were 80 people in that building, but only one person received a possible concussion and some chemical burns, from what I've been told.
"It was significant structural damage. Three very large windows were blown out and thick, fortified doors were forced open by the blast. Our fire commissioner said the blast went straight up in the area where they test lithium batteries. The building was stuffed with personnel and equipment, but it was designed very well."
GM wouldn't say exactly what kind of battery exploded, but mentioned that it was built by A123 Systems and was going through tests that were meant to stress the battery. GM made sure to note that the battery was not Chevrolet Volt related.
"The incident was unrelated to the Chevy Volt or any other production vehicle," said GM in a statement. "The incident was related to extreme testing on a prototype battery."
GM is likely making sure to protect its Volt against any more bad publicity than it has already received in the past year. Back in May 2011, a Chevrolet Volt caught fire after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a side-impact crash test on the vehicle. It caught fire while parked in the Wisconsin testing facility.
This incident prompted an investigation of the safety of lithium batteries used for EVs. In November 2011, three more Volts were tested by the NHTSA, and two out of three either sparked or caught fire while the third remained normal.
"We're not yet able to confirm that it was a battery per se, but it was in one specific lab in the advanced research building," said Wilbert McAdams, Warren fire commissioner. "There's water damage to the building and OSHA will have to be called in because a person was injured."
McAdams is referring to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is currently inspecting the situation.
http://www.dailytech.com/Prototype+EV+Battery+Explodes+at+GM+Michigan+Research+Lab+/article24446.htm
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