GM expands recall of Chevy Bolt electric cars over battery fire risk

General Motors says it has expanded a recall of its Chevy Bolt electric vehicles to include all model years because of a risk the battery cells could catch fire.

This latestrecall includesabout 73,000 Bolts from model years 2019 through 2022, including just over 10,000 in Canada. A previous recalled announced in July was for 69,000 Bolts from between 2017 and 2019.

The company says that in rare cases, two manufacturing defects in the battery cells create a risk of fire.

It warns that owners should limit charging to 90 per cent of battery capacity,park vehicles outside immediately after charging and not leave vehiclescharging indoors overnight.

The Detroit-based automaker said it will replace the battery modules in all the affected vehicles at an expected cost of about $1 billion US.

The company initially issued a recall in November after getting reports that five of the vehicles had caught fire. Two people suffered smoke inhalation and a house was set ablaze.