Experts Agree: Volts, Other Cars Tasty to Rats

Her take?

“I agree with the folks at Cars.com KickingTires blog — when ambient temperatures dive, beady-eyed garage denizens may be drawn to a warm EV battery like ice skaters around a bonfire. But the real problem isn’t Chevy, the Volt, its battery, or even heat-seeking rodents.

“It’s parking structure hygiene.

“Anyone who’s read the ‘Wildlife and Your Cars‘ FAQ page already knows my mouse-and-rat mantra: Remove the food! Keep the rats out of the garage with proper sanitation protocols and you won’t have to worry about keeping them out of your engine compartment. Now, I realize, this may be beyond your control, and there probably aren’t enough charging stations available yet for EV drivers to be picky about their portals. But here’s something for your parking personnel to chew on — the same rat that nibbled on your harness may find their connectors just as tasty, and when that repair bill comes due, it’s their dime, not yours. Might just motivate them to do an early spring cleaning.”