NHTSA Plans Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Conference

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on April 25, 2012

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is planning to hold a conference to discuss the safety of electric cars, especially the lithium-ion batteries used to store power in them, according to a recent article in the Detroit Free Press. Automakers, lithium-ion battery makers, and representatives from the NHTSA and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will all attend the conference.

At the center of the safety conference’s discussion is the safety of using large lithium-ion batteries in vehicles. Concerns about the batteries’ safety in cars have mounted after several recent accidents regarding them. For instance, a Chevy Volt undergoing safety testing had its battery catch fire in a laboratory, although researchers later admitted they were not using required safety procedures to maintain the vehicle at the time. An accident in a lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant last month caused serious injuries to an employee, when a battery undergoing rigorous testing suddenly exploded.

While automakers are interested in electric cars as a way to reduce gasoline reliance and provide alternatives for buyers, most in the industry agree that the vehicles need to be reasonably safe before they can replace standard cars for most drivers.

Electric cars are becoming more popular, but any vehicle can have a manufacturing or design defect that can lead to an accident. If you’ve been injured in an accident, the experienced Seattle auto accident attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help you figure out what caused the accident and seek the compensation you need. Call us today at (888) 228-3860 for a free and confidential case evaluation.