Tesla Inc is facing increased scrutiny following a recent incident involving a battery fire at one of its “Supercharger” stations in Pennsylvania. The intensity of the fire and the potential spread of hazardous materials have raised concerns among authorities and the public.
According to a report from PCMag, a Tesla vehicle burst into flames, resulting in the temporary closure of the road. Firefighters arrived at the scene and used a nearby hydrant to target the fire. However, extinguishing the fire proved challenging, and the Upper Allen Fire Department stated that the hazmat concerns posed by such incidents are difficult to mitigate.
This is not the first time a Tesla-related fire has been reported. In June, a Tesla charger malfunctioned and caused a fire at the home of NFL star Randall Cobb. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, leading to investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration due to quality issues with Tesla cars.
The unique battery chemistry of electric vehicles (EVs) can lead to a phenomenon known as thermal runaway, where the battery cells self-heat and consume more oxygen, causing the flames to reignite repeatedly. Battery fires in EVs can burn up to 1,000 degrees hotter than fires in gas or diesel engine vehicles.
What makes this latest Tesla fire particularly concerning is that it occurred while the vehicle was charging. The exact cause of the fire has not been disclosed publicly, but images from the scene indicate damage to multiple Superchargers.
Contrary to popular belief, EVs are generally less prone to fires compared to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, there are approximately 25 fires per year for every 100,000 electric vehicles, while there are over 1,500 fires per year for every 100,000 ICE vehicles. However, it is important to consider that the average age of EVs is significantly lower than that of ICE vehicles, which may skew the data.
Tesla shares were up 5.35% at $252.03 at the time of publication, according to Benzinga Pro.