As the push for electric vehicles gains momentum around the world, one of General Motors’ (GM) flagship electric cars, the Chevy Bolt, is headed for the scrapyard. GM recently announced that it is recalling all Chevy Bolt EVs due to a battery defect that can cause fires, and it does not plan to resume production of the vehicle. This decision marks a significant setback for GM’s electric vehicle aspirations, and raises questions about the future of the company’s electric vehicle strategy.

The Chevy Bolt was launched in 2017 as one of the first affordable electric cars with a range of over 200 miles. It was seen as a key player in GM’s push to electrify its fleet and compete with Tesla in the growing electric vehicle market. The car received positive reviews for its driving experience and was lauded as a turning point for GM’s electric vehicle efforts.

However, in November 2020, GM announced a recall of 68,677 Chevy Bolt EVs due to battery defects that could cause fires. The recall was expected to cost the company $1.8 billion, and it suspended production of the vehicle as a result. In July 2021, GM expanded the recall to include all Chevy Bolt EVs, totaling over 140,000 vehicles.

The battery defect in the Chevy Bolt EVs was traced to two manufacturing defects in the batteries produced by LG Chem, GM’s battery supplier for the vehicle. The first defect was caused by a torn anode tab, which can lead to a short circuit, while the second was caused by a folded separator, which can also lead to a short circuit. Both defects can cause fires, even when the vehicle is turned off and parked.

GM has been working with LG Chem to resolve the battery issues, but the company announced on August 20, 2021, that it does not plan to resume production of the Chevy Bolt EV. Instead, it will focus on developing new electric vehicles with better battery technology.

The decision to scrap the Chevy Bolt EV raises questions about GM’s electric vehicle strategy. The company had set a goal to sell only electric vehicles by 2035, but with the discontinuation of the Chevy Bolt EV, it will need to rely on other electric vehicles in its lineup to achieve that goal. GM currently offers the Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid, and the Cadillac Lyriq, an all-electric luxury SUV, but neither vehicle has the same mass-market appeal as the Chevy Bolt EV.

The discontinuation of the Chevy Bolt EV also comes as other automakers are ramping up their electric vehicle offerings. Tesla continues to dominate the market, and new entrants like Rivian and Lucid Motors are generating buzz with their own electric vehicles. With the Chevy Bolt EV out of the picture, GM will need to move quickly to develop new electric vehicles that can compete with these rivals.

The recall and discontinuation of the Chevy Bolt EV also highlight the challenges facing the electric vehicle industry as a whole. While electric vehicles offer a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars, the industry is still grappling with issues related to battery production and safety. The battery defect in the Chevy Bolt EV is just one example of the challenges that electric vehicle manufacturers must overcome to achieve widespread adoption of electric vehicles.