Tesla cars are having a moment right now; between the CyberTruck and the RoboVan, and the fact that Musk endorsed Trump, the future of electric cars is looking good.
But they’re not without their problems.
Four people just died in France after a Tesla caught fire and trapped them inside.
At a glance:
- Four people were killed in France after a Tesla electric car caught fire following a high-speed crash near Niort.
- Police have opened an inquiry to investigate the cause of the blaze, which left the vehicle’s occupants dead before rescuers arrived.
- The incident adds to growing concerns over fires in electric vehicles, often related to lithium-ion battery failures.
Four people lost their lives in France when a Tesla electric vehicle caught fire after ramming into several road signs at high speed. The tragic incident occurred near the city of Niort late Saturday night. The victims, including the driver and three passengers, were restaurant employees in the nearby town of Melle. According to police, the passengers were already dead when rescuers arrived at the scene.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and an inquiry has been opened to determine what led to the fatal blaze. A local judge has confirmed that a thorough examination of the vehicle will be conducted as part of the investigation. Authorities are keen to understand whether the fire resulted from the crash or a possible malfunction within the Tesla’s systems, particularly its lithium-ion battery.
https://x.com/Arc_Atlantique/status/1845463103758025197/photo/1
Tesla, founded by Elon Musk, has faced scrutiny over safety concerns, particularly related to its autopilot feature and lithium-ion battery technology. In December 2023, the company recalled over two million vehicles in North America, citing risks associated with autopilot and the increased likelihood of collisions. Tesla has also faced lawsuits over accidents involving its vehicles, including a 2018 case where a driver was killed while using autopilot on a California highway.
Electric vehicles, including Teslas, are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which have been linked to a rise in vehicle fires globally. These fires, often difficult to extinguish, occur due to a phenomenon called “thermal runaway,” where the energy stored in the batteries is released as intense heat. This can lead to large, rocket-like flames and toxic fumes, posing serious risks to those nearby and making the fires more challenging for emergency responders to control.
Fire services across the world are adopting new protocols for handling electric vehicle fires, which require significantly more water than traditional gasoline or diesel vehicle blazes. In some cases, over 6,000 gallons of water are needed to fully extinguish an electric vehicle fire, compared to just a few hundred gallons for regular car fires. Firefighters are experimenting with various methods to address the risks, including submerging the cars in water or covering them with fireproof blankets.
With electric vehicle use increasing worldwide, experts warn that first responders and the public need better education and risk management protocols for handling lithium-ion battery fires. The ongoing investigation in France will aim to shed light on whether the Tesla’s battery was a factor in this deadly incident.
Sure, you can set a gas car on fire…but have you ever heard so many stories like this before? We haven’t.
