Well it appears even premium EVs like Tesla are not immune to spontaneously combusting
Four individuals tragically lost their lives in France after a Tesla electric car caught fire. The incident occurred on Saturday night near Niort, claiming the lives of the driver and three passengers, who were employees of a nearby restaurant in Melle. Preliminary reports indicate that the vehicle collided with several road signs at high speed before the blaze erupted.
By the time rescuers arrived, the passengers were already deceased. Authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of the fire, with a local judge noting that expertise on the vehicle will be sought during the inquiry. Tesla, founded by billionaire CEO Elon Musk, has faced scrutiny over safety issues in the past.
Moreover, earlier this year, the company settled a lawsuit with the family of an engineer who died in a 2018 crash involving a Tesla Model X, which occurred while the driver was using the autopilot feature. Additionally, in December, Tesla recalled over two million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada due to risks associated with its autopilot software, which was linked to an increased risk of collisions.
The rise of lithium-ion battery fires is a growing concern, especially in the UK, where incidents involving electric bikes, scooters, and vehicles have surged. In 2023 alone, e-bike battery fires increased by 70 percent, with 270 such incidents reported. Fire and rescue services noted a 48 percent rise in call-outs for all lithium-ion battery-related fires compared to the previous year.
A recent car fire in Leytonstone, East London, involved a Skoda EV, but the cause of that blaze remains under investigation. Fire departments are adapting their response strategies for electric vehicle fires. While a single fire engine typically suffices for traditional car fires, two units are now dispatched for electric or hybrid vehicles due to the lithium-ion batteries.
On top of that, these batteries can undergo a phenomenon called “thermal runaway,” releasing intense heat and producing flames that can resemble rockets. Moreover, they emit toxic fumes, such as hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide, posing additional risks to nearby individuals.
Experts warn that the rapid transition to electric vehicles will strain fire services, as crews may become unavailable for other emergencies. Departments in Norfolk, Essex, Kent, and London have adopted a two-unit policy for electric vehicle fires, acknowledging the significant water requirements for extinguishing such blazes, up to 6,600 gallons, compared to 220 to 400 gallons for conventional vehicles.
Fire brigades are experimenting with various methods for extinguishing these fires, including submerging cars in water or covering them with foam, though nothing seems to be very effective. We got all this from Mail Online and their full article is linked here. Thank you Mail Online for the information and images.
