Holden's coming Volt clears fire check

The Volt - which will be Australia's first electric car with a back-up petrol engine to charge the battery - has been cleared of fire danger in the US. 

The American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into the Chevrolet Volt, to be sold here later this year as a Holden, after three caught fire several days following crash tests. 

It has now closed its investigations after GM made engineering modifications to better protect the battery. 

GM Holden spokesperson Kate Lonsdale says the closing of the investigation clears the way for the Volt in Australia. 

"Based on the available data, NHTSA does not believe that the Volt or other electric vehicles pose a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles," she says. 

She says it is too early to announce pricing for the vehicle.