Tesla Motors have done some pretty amazing things in their field, but that doesn’t and shouldn’t stop us from criticizing them when criticizing is due. What’ I’m referring to is the fact that a Tesla Model S spontaneously combusted on New Year’s.
- Tesla Motors is the second oldest registered American automotive maker, after Ford
- The Model S was the first electric car to receive the ‘Car of the Year” award
- As much as 23% of Tesla’s stock is owned by Elon Musk, SpaceX’s parent company
- Only the tires and the wiper blades need regular replacement on a Tesla Model S
- Tesla’s Model S is the only production vehicle to ever receive a 99/100 rating from Consumer Reports
After leaving his Model S to charge at a SuperCharger station near Kristiansand, Norway, the owner went in a store to do some shopping. He returned a few minutes later to find his car on fire, eventually burning down and being almost completely destroyed.
The police received complaints about a car on fire near a cafe on Brokelandsheia, and hurried to the scene. By the time they got there, the car was almost completely burned down, but fortunately nobody got wounded.
Currently, the cause of the fire remains unknown, but both the police and representatives from Tesla will be looking into the reasons for the vehicle’s spontaneous combustion.
Both parties will be looking into the car, as well as into the charging station, trying to find out the reason behind the sudden fire. Until results come back, the area will not possess a charging station, as it will remain closed until the authorities are satisfied with the information they collect.
The fire brigade handling the vehicle fire reported some difficulties in putting the fire out, as they are not used to put out fires stemming from electrical cars due to some extra risk factors.
The biggest risk factor when putting out an electrical vehicle fire is that the lithium ion batteries in the machine will generally keep the fire going stronger than regular fires, and they can also blow up, throwing shrapnel.
So, the firefighters had to use a special foam to contain the flames instead of water, eventually having to ward off the area until the fire was put out.
Despite the authorities’ best efforts to save at least part of the car, in order to make the investigation easier, all they could do was to wait for the cat to burn out while they contained the fire, keeping it from spreading to the surrounding areas, including the charging station.
Image source: Wikimedia
Shaun McNulty says
While I am looking forward to hearing what caused the fire I am left wondering why gas car fires are not getting this type of press? Right now as you read this a gas car is burning for some reason or another.
Marcus Millspaugh says
Also… This isn’t the first (quick Google search) and it was recharging (aka refueling) and didn’t spontaneously combust as your headline suggests.
Bo Mathis says
Although I’m not a fan of the media’s massive appetite for “gotcha” stories, this scenario does bring attention to a potential risk factor. Super charging stations (at least in the US) use 480v. If someone tried to douse the fire out while that voltage was present, they would likely be fried to death if the charger was not equipped with GFI. Hopefully, these charging units have the necessary ground fault protections in place for the unlikely event of a car fire.
Seth says
Clarifications:
Since GM’s chapter 11 reorg, Tesla Motors has technically been the second oldest PUBLICLY TRADED automaker in the US, after Ford
Elon Musk is not a “parent company” 🙂
Seth says
And previous cases of “spontaneous” combustion occurred after the car drove over significant debris, causing damage to the undercarriage where the batteries are housed. Bet they’ll find dings on this one too
Allen F Butcher says
They have to have the proper grounding, or they would never be pass inspection.