A number of fire incidents involving older Tesla Model S and X vehicles that experts say are battery-related are raising questions about the safety and durability of electric vehicles as they age. According to a news report in The Washington Post, Usman Ahmad, the owner of a Tesla Model S vehicle, said his car “erupted like a flamethrower.” Ahmad said his vehicle spontaneously ignited as he stood on the side of the road.
The Danger of Catching Fire
According to agency officials, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is evaluating the fire involving Ahmad’s vehicle in Texas and has contacted Tesla over the matter. NHTSA also investigated alleged battery defects that could cause fires in older Tesla sedans and SUVs last year.
The NHTSA investigation was spurred by a lawsuit and defect petition, which alleged that the automaker manipulated its battery software in older model vehicles to reduce the fire risk, lowering the range and lengthening charging times as it sought to address the undisclosed defect. The lawsuit cited an “alarming number of car fires” that appeared spontaneous.
Electric Vehicles and Fires
Tesla has said its cars are ten times less likely to catch fire than gasoline-fueled vehicles. Other electric vehicle models have also faced federal scrutiny and voluntary recalls over fire dangers. Just last month, General Motors recalled more than 50,000 Chevy Bolt electric vehicles over the potential for fire in their high-voltage battery packs. NHTSA confirmed that there were five known fires involving Bolts,, resulting in two injuries.
NHTSA also advised owners to park their cars outside until the problem is resolved. Last year, a wiring harness issue led to the recall of Audi’s e-tron SUV due to potential fire risks. Experts say electric vehicles catch fire at a similar rate to gas cars. However, the duration and intensity of these fires, which are fueled by chemicals and the extreme buildup of heat in the lithium-ion battery systems, can make electric car fires more difficult to extinguish.
Auto Product Liability Issues
We hope NHTSA continues investigating this vital issue, which presents a risk of injury, fatalities and property damage. If you or a loved one has been injured due to an electric vehicle fire, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced auto defect law firm to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/12/28/tesla-battery-fire/
