Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

22-NA-114
August, 2023

INFORMATION
Subject:

Information on Forklift and Vehicle Hoist Requirements to Support Electric Vehicle (EV)
High Voltage Battery Handling (U.S. Only)

Brand:

Model:

Model Year:
from

to

VIN:
from

to

—

—

Propulsion:

Transmission:

All Electric
Vehicles (EV)

All

Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet

All GM Passenger
Cars and Trucks

2024 and Prior

GMC

Involved Region or Country

United States

Information
Important: Service agents must comply with all
International, Federal, State, Provincial, and/or
Local laws applicable to the activities it performs
under this bulletin, including but not limited to
handling, deploying, preparing, classifying,
packaging, marking, labeling, and shipping
dangerous goods. In the event of a conflict between
the procedures set forth in this bulletin and the
laws that apply to your dealership, you must follow
those applicable laws.
Important: This technical service bulletin (TSB) can
only be completed by certified repair facilities who have
met all specific training, tool and equipment
requirements pertaining to the vehicle Brand and Model
serviced. Repairs must be performed by a technician
who has successfully completed the required training.
General Motors LLC (“GM”) is excited about the current
electric vehicles in its product line-up as well as future
GM electric vehicles coming to market (the “Electric
Vehicles”). Electric Vehicles require unique training,
equipment and tools to properly sell and service them,
including a forklift on the GM dealership premises to
assist in the safe handling of High Voltage (“HV”)
batteries that power Electric Vehicles and vehicle hoists
meeting certain specifications to facilitate servicing
Electric Vehicles.
This bulletin applies to all GM dealers that sell or
service Electric Vehicles (“GM EV Dealers”) until further
notice or until updated via a subsequent
communication and sets forth certain specifications and
requirements for (1) the forklift(s) that each GM EV
Dealer is required to have on premises to assist in the
safe handling of HV batteries, and (2) vehicle hoists to
service Electric Vehicles.

Copyright 2023 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

GM EV Dealers must comply with ALL equipment
standards, safety procedures, and rules provided by
GM, and all applicable federal, state, municipal,
provincial, and local laws, statutes, rules, and
regulations pertaining to forklift operating and handling
HV batteries. Each GM EV Dealer is responsible for
ensuring compliance with all such equipment
standards, safety procedures, and rules provided by
GM, and all applicable federal, state, municipal,
provincial, and local laws, statutes, rules, and
regulations.

Forklift
Properly Trained Personnel
Each GM EV Dealer must have a least one (1)
employee who is properly trained and licensed to
operate a forklift consistent with regulatory
requirements in your market on site at the Dealership
Premises during all hours of Dealership Operations.
¹GM EV Dealer is responsible for ensuring that the
forklift operator is licensed under all applicable federal,
state, and local laws and regulations.

Required Equipment
Due to the size of HV batteries, a forklift meeting the
specifications described below is required. Each GM
EV Dealer is responsible for obtaining written
verification from the forklift manufacturer that the forklift
utilized on GM EV Dealer’s premises complies with
these requirements.

Required Technical Specifications:²
¹Capitalized terms not defined in this bulletin shall have
the meaning prescribed to them in the General Motors
Dealer Sales and Service Agreement.

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August, 2023

² GM strongly recommends, but does not require at this
time, that a GM EV Dealer obtain a forklift equipped
with (1) a Side Shifting Fork Arm Positioner to assist
loading HV batteries into shipping container, and (2)
lugged tires for inclement weather or uneven surfaces.
Note: Your brand specific Participation Agreement
may state 8,000 lb capacity forklift. Some 8,000 lb
forklifts may not meet all criteria listed within based on
the design and manufacture of the forklift. We
recommend providing the following criteria listed within
to the forklift manufacturer.
•
•
•

Bulletin No.: 22-NA-114
Figure 2

Capacity: lift 4250 lbs. with load center of 48 in., at
142 in. height.
Fork Length: must be at least 72 in. / 1828 mm in
length, no extensions allowed (See Figure 1).
Fork Width and Thickness: to accommodate the
EL-53080 battery lift system and HV battery crate,
fork width and thickness must not exceed the
dimensions in the following table:

Fork Width (W)

Fork Thickness (T)

< 6.5“

Up to 3“ Thick

6.5“ — 8“

Up to 2.25“ Thick

6082651

EL-53080 Battery Lift System. The arrows indicate
pockets where forklift forks will be inserted.

Forks wider than 8” / 203 mm are incompatible with the
EL-53080 battery lift system and HV battery crate.

Figure 3

Figure 1

6082653

6082650

1. Width (W)
2. 6 ft Fork Length (No Extensions)
3. Fork Thickness
Isometric views of fork

Images of EL-53080 Battery Lift System installed on
forklift; image on top is crate lid; image on bottom is HV
battery.
Note: Each forklift manufacturer has its own mass
calculation method and height capacity. This document
is provided by the forklift manufacturer and should be
kept on hand. The GM EV Dealer should work with the
forklift manufacturer to determine the best forklift to
safely maneuver HV batteries based on the above
requirements.
Note: Forklift purchase and/or rental expenses are the
responsibility of GM EV Dealer and are not covered
and/or reimbursable under any warranty.

Bulletin No.: 22-NA-114

August, 2023

Important: DO NOT USE TRUCK LIFTGATES FOR
LOADING/UNLOADING HV BATTERIES FROM THE
TRANSPORTATION TRUCK/TRAILER.

Cadillac Requirements
Cadillac dealers must purchase or have a long-term
lease of the required forklift by June 30, 2022.
Short-term, or daily forklift rentals do not satisfy this
requirement. Dealers who fail to satisfy this (or any
other) requirement by June 30, 2022, will be ineligible
to order, sell, or service the Cadillac LYRIQ, or any
other upcoming Cadillac electric model until fully
compliant with GM’s policies.

GMC Requirements
GMC Dealers that already purchased an 8000 lb. forklift
must provide proof from the forklift manufacturer that
the forklift meets the specifications included in this
bulletin by June 30, 2022. If the forklift obtained by
GMC Dealer does not meet the specifications included
in this bulletin, a compliant forklift must be obtained.
GMC Dealers that have confirmed “access to a forklift”
via Forklift Verification form will need to confirm that the
forklift meets the specifications contained in this bulletin
and fill out a new verification form affirming that the
forklift meets the specifications contained in this bulletin
by June 30, 2022. If the forklift that GMC Dealer has
access to does not meet the specifications included in
this bulletin, a compliant forklift must be obtained.
Access to a forklift will only be permissible until
March 31, 2023, when the current GMC Electric
Models Participation Agreement expires.
GMC dealers must purchase or have a long-term lease
of the required forklift by April 1, 2023. Short-term, or
daily forklift rentals will not satisfy this requirement.
Dealers who fail to satisfy this (or any other)
requirement by April 1, 2023, will be ineligible to order,
sell, or service the GMC HUMMER EV, or any other
upcoming GMC electric model until fully compliant with
GM’s policies

Chevrolet Requirements
Chevrolet EV dealers must purchase or have a
long-term lease of the required forklift by March 31,
2023. Short-term, or daily forklift rentals do not satisfy
this requirement. Chevrolet dealers who fail to satisfy
this (or any other) EV requirement by March 31, 2023,
will be ineligible to order, sell, or service the Silverado
EV, Blazer EV, Equinox EV, or any other upcoming
Chevrolet electric model until fully compliant with GM’s
policies.
Failure to use a forklift meeting the specifications set
forth herein to handle HV batteries presents a safety
risk and will waive the EV Component Limited Warranty
covering those HV batteries.

Vehicle Hoist
Cadillac Requirements
All Dealers are required to have a 12,000 LB. service
hoist with 3-stage arms by June 30th, 2022. The hoist
must have sufficient lifting capacity, and a wide setting
is the preferred option. This requirement also calls for

Page 3

3-stage or new style Trio arms to accurately reach the
vehicle lifting points. Older 12,000, 16,000, and 20,000
LB. lift models with 2-stage arms may not reach lift
points properly.

GMC Requirements
All Dealers are required to have a 12,000 LB. service
hoist with 3-stage arms. The hoist must have sufficient
lifting capacity, and a wide setting is the preferred
option. This requirement also calls for 3-stage or new
style Trio arms to accurately reach the vehicle lifting
points. Older 12,000, 16,000, and 20,000 LB. lift
models with 2-stage arms may not reach lift points
properly.

Chevrolet Requirements
All Dealers are required to have a 12,000 LB. service
hoist with 3-stage arms by March 31st, 2023. The hoist
must have sufficient lifting capacity, and a wide setting
is the preferred option. This requirement also calls for
3-stage or new style Trio arms to accurately reach the
vehicle lifting points. Older 12,000, 16,000, and 20,000
LB. lift models with 2-stage arms may not reach lift
points properly.

Required Equipment
•
•

Vehicle hoist must be US ALI Certified.
Hoist arms must reach all lifting points within the
safe area of the lifts swing arcs. No hoist arm
extensions are permitted to extend the reach.
• Hoist arms must not interfere with battery pack
removal at the lifting points or the cradle/table on
the ground to receive the pack.
Each GM EV Dealer’s particular situation is different.
Recommendations are available through GM Dealer
Equipment (“GMDE”) www.GMDEsolutions.com,
GMDE EV Lifting Options, or 844-742-8471. The
GMDE field team is also an available resource.
The hoist manufacturer should also be consulted for
each GM EV Dealer’s particular situation.
GM recommends following the hoist manufacturer’s
recommended and/or required maintenance
procedures to maintain proper functionality of the hoist.
Note: For additional information on requirements,
please contact your local District Service
Manager (DVM).
GM continues to develop cutting edge Electric Vehicles
and such continued development may require changes
to this specification. GM has the right to modify, amend,
or alter these requirements and specifications at any
time in its sole business discretion. Appropriate notice
of such modification, amendment, or alteration will be
provided to GM EV Dealers.
GM reserves the right to audit GM EV Dealers to verify
compliance with the requirements contained herein and
GM EV Dealers agree to permit any designated
representative of GM to access and examine the forklift
and/or vehicle hoists maintained on GM EV Dealers
premises to verify compliance with these requirements
and specifications.

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August, 2023

Bulletin No.: 22-NA-114

Version

5

Modified

Released May 25, 2022
Revised June 14, 2022 – Updated the information under Vehicle Hoist and Required
Equipment sections.
Revised October 04, 2022 – Added a Note within Required Technical Specifications
section.
Revised March 21, 2023 – Added the 2024 Model Year and second Important statement.
Revised July 31, 2023 – Removed the hoist manufacturer table under Required
Equipment and only providing the Recommendations directly from GM Dealer Equipment
to reduce complexity and updates to the table.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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