General Motors says that it will buy back Chevy Volts from any owners concerned about the car's risk of catching fire, the AP reports.
Three fires have broken out in Chevy Volts after crash tests, leading the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to launch an investigation into fire risks posed by the plug-in hybrid.
GM CEO Dan Akerson has insisted that the cars are safe, but says the company will buy back Volts anyway. He said that if necessary, GM will recall all 6,000-plus Volts now being driven in the U.S.
But after Akerson made his comments to the AP, a spokesman told the Wall Street Journal that while GM would consider buying back the cars, it has not actually established a policy to do so.
Akerson also said the company may redesign the Volt’s battery pack, which has been the focus of the federal investigation, Wired reports.
And the company has offered loaner cars to all Volt owners who are interested. Akerson told the AP that 16 Volt owners have made inquiries and of these, two have taken the loaner cars.
