Quote:
|
Originally Posted by NEOCON1
little known fact : the EV1 had a very high rate of spontaneous self combustion  . there was a lot full of burned up ones at Power-Train in socal , hundreds of em  |
was part of the EV1 project (remember, they were considered Saturn marketed vehicles). We had tons of problems with the Delphi battery packs, but there was NO high rate of spontaneous self-combustion. There was the recall of the original 650 1997 EV1s that had the main battery cable/controller replaced due to a fire hazard, but there were only a few that actually caught fire before the recall. In fact, the vehicle had quite a good safety record. Possibly, what you saw were the recalled vehicles waiting for repairs.
Hundreds? There were only 650 1997 EV1s manufactured, no 1998 vehicles, and only about 450 1999; all manufactured in Lansing MI at the GM craft center. All EV1s were sold in AZ and CA, at only selected Saturn Retailers. At the end of their lease, they were destroyed at the GM Desert Proving Grounds in AZ. That is except for 100 that were shipped to NY and used by GM company employees during the summer months. These were finally destroyed in either 2005 or 2006.
The only remaining EV1; other than those that cannot run and were donated to schools, are located in the GM proving grounds in Milford, MI and some at the GM advanced vehicle center in Troy MI. (There might be one of two left in the Dessrt Proving grounds too.)
Just last week, I passed a green one that runs around the Troy, Madison Heights, Warren, MI area.
As for the original posting, it is true, some of the newer hybrids can be dangerous to work on by anyone. The BAS models that GM is marketing on the VUE, AURA, are only 36 volt hybrid systems with a 12-volt accessory system. These could possibly cause a death, but likely only a really bad jolt. However, the new 300-volt 900 series SUVs and Trucks coming in a few months, can kill someone. GM has trainers that travel the country training first reponders on how to safely work on these vehicles in emergency situations.
For the old EV1 the training was easier to perform since the marketing area of the vehicles was very limited. However, with the newer hybrids from all the manufacturers, the training is a nightmare. The first responder has to know all the different types of "jesus switches." (Don't pull one and put your had in the wrong place...say hello to Jesus.)