FYI detailed info below. Sounds like I should go for the $1400 and reduced range for 6200 miles. Mark Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message: From Rob, Bolt guru in Colorado on Bolt forum: This topic is getting a lot of comments on chevybolt.org. https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/bolt-e-card-program-to-compensate-for-80-limit.52758 From what I understand, it is a bit complex, so bear with me… A little background, there are effectively three groups of Bolt owners relative to the fire recall: 2017-2019 with 60kWh packs made in S. Korea, this was the highest risk group, particularly the first half of 2019 models (2nd half of 2019 batteries were built in Holland, MI and presumably under better quality control). These owners are exempt from the $1400 settlement, they will continue to get replacement packs (last report says 85% of these are already replaced). 2020-2022 with 66kWh packs made in Holland, MI. These were much lower risk, and already came with the improved chemical/capacity characteristics. Some of these owners are receiving the $1400 offer (see paragraph below). Production stopped a few months after 2022 models went on sale, and resumed in early 2023 (for 2022 then 2023 models). This resumed batch are exempt from the settlement as the defect was no longer a risk (or so everyone assumes). These do not need the 80% diagnostic patch described in the next paragraph. Recently, GM announced 2020-2022 Bolts with original batteries would get a diagnostic software patch instead of replacing all of these packs, which likely ties back to an Israeli company they recently purchased. It does more advanced diagnostics on the cell performance, and has identified a small % of packs in this second risk group (2020-2022) that qualify for a replacement pack. Some owners of these 2020 to 2022 already got a replacement battery, so they are also exempt from the settlement. Those who got replacement packs as a result of the diagnostic patch are likely included in the settlement because they endured reduced range (80% for 6200 miles) for a period. All prior years should still be eligible for, or already received a replacement pack and thus are not included in this $1400 offer (myself included). The 2022 and 2023 models built after production resumed are also exempt due to there being no perceived defect. They discontinued replacing packs in the 2020-2022 group of cars as they felt (probably rightly) that the defect rate was quite low. As a result, owners of these who had not yet (some already had replacement packs installed) had their pack replaced were potentially out of the extended battery warranty. But, these models also would not get any benefit of increased capacity like older model owners did (original pack was 60kWh, 2020+ packs are 64-66kWh). Among the changes this SW patch does is limit charging to 80% until the car is driven 10000km (roughly 6,200 miles). Once this milestone is reached, 100% charging becomes available immediately. This along with the original (vs extended) warranty upset a few owners who contacted lawyers and started a class action suit. So, given the above, these are the owners (and only these) represented in the Class Action. The outcome of the Class Action is far from certain, and any settlement is probably unlikely to exceed the $1400 GM is offering to this relatively small group of owners (lawyers tend to take the lion’s share of Class Action settlements historically). Accepting the offer (by the end of this year as I understand) will reduce any class action settlement (if any). There may be some waiver of rights involved in accepting the offer, but I am not an attorney and have not read the entire agreement as I am not in the affected class. Plenty of speculation on this point in the above forum thread. GM published progress of the recall campaign and I summarize these reports every quarter. Any day now, GM should file a report for July-September and I will summarize it in the forum as well. https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/q2-2023-battery-recall-report.51252/ Clear as mud? I may not have 100% accuracy in my understanding, but that seems to be the gist of it. Join the discussion on the Bolt forum, it is quite detailed in many posts. Rob -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://lists.evdl.org/private.cgi/ev-evdl.org/attachments/20231025/2d8d1f9a/attachment.htm> _______________________________________________ Address messages to ev@lists.evdl.org No other addresses in TO and CC fields HELP: http://www.evdl.org/help/
