(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY EVAN BUSH 

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

The Chevy Volt has caught fire -- but not in the way Chevy hoped for. Here’s more from ABC.

“Federal regulators have launched an investigation into a potential fire risk in the Chevy Volt.
A battery pack caught fire this week in a government crash test and that was the second time that’s happened.”

But General Motors, who makes the car, says the car is safe and there haven’t been any incidents on the roadways.

“So far about 5,000 Volts have been sold. There have been no problems with any of those cars. General Motors says the car is safe and supports the ongoing testing. It’s too soon to see if the probe will lead to a recall of any vehicles or parts.”

So how does GM explain the vehicle catching fire? It says investigators likely aren’t used to electric car technology. MSNBC explains.

“GM says the testers didn’t follow established protocol for handling used batteries.”

And in an email to Bloomberg Businessweek, General Motors chief Engineer Jim Federico reaffirmed the Volt’s safety. Here’s what he said:

“We are working cooperatively with NHTSA as it completes its investigation. However, NHTSA has stated that based on available data, there’s no greater risk of fire with a Volt than a traditional gas-powered car.”

And the government agency isn’t letting this setback deter its enthusiasm for electric vehicles. The Detroit-Free Press has the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s take on the situation.

“In its statement, NHTSA said the agency ‘continues to believe that electric vehicles have incredible potential to save consumers money at the pump, help protect the environment, create jobs and strengthen our national security by reducing our dependence on oil.’"

The Obama Administration has said it wants to put 1 million electric vehicles on U.S. roads by 2015. If that is to happen -- Chevy must put out this fire, and soon.