GM Korea starts to replace batteries in Chevy Bolt EVs

Chevrolet Bolt EV's battery system [GM KOREA]

GM Korea will start replacing batteries of Chevy Bolt EVs recalled early this year due to a possible defect in batteries made by LG Energy Solution that could lead to fire, the carmaker said Thursday.

The replacement of the batteries will start in January 2022 for cars with model years from 2017 to 2019. That amounts to 10,608 Bolt EVs.

“We will start the replacing process from January after being supplied of new batteries from North America,” GM Korea said Thursday. “For Bolt EVs with model years 2020 and 2021, we will communicate later.”

The replaced batteries will have warranty of 8 years or 160,000 kilometers, as it would be for a new car.

GM Korea is also recplacing software that inspects the state of the batteries. The updated software will prevent the charging of batteries above 80 percent of capacity to lower the risk of fire.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]