Thankfully, the fire didn’t spread to the EV’s battery pack, which made it easier for firefighters to extinguish
September 23, 2024 at 07:45
- The latest electric vehicle fire occurred in a supermarket parking lot near Athens, Greece.
- The rear end of a Tesla Model 3 burned to a crisp while the EV was connected to a charger.
- The flames did not reach the battery and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
A new Tesla Model 3 caught fire while charging in the parking lot of a Greek supermarket, and the aftermath has sparked plenty of online chatter. Interestingly, photos of the charred remains suggest that the fire didn’t originate from the EV’s battery pack.
The incident unfolded on Sunday, September 22, in Agia Paraskevi, a suburb just outside Athens. The black Tesla Model 3 Highland was reportedly plugged into the supermarket’s charging station when flames erupted.
More: Audi E-Tron GT Bursts Into Flames Inside Dealership
The single photo capturing the aftermath was shared on X by user dionysis_bdroid. It shows the extent of damage on the rear of the vehicle, which has been totaled. The shattered rear windows and melted tires serve as stark reminders of the intense heat, while the charging station itself looks like it went through a minor inferno.
Investigation underway
We reached out to the local fire station, and they confirmed that they successfully extinguished the fire. A representative informed us that, while the cause is still under investigation, the flames only affected the rear of the vehicle and notably did not spread to the battery pack.
Ένα Tesla μόλις κάηκε στο πάρκινγκ του Σκλαβενίτη στην Αγία Παρασκευή το είχε αφήσει να φορτίσει. pic.twitter.com/dsgh2d5kk9
— Διονύσης Χατζόπουλος (@dionysis_bdroid) September 22, 2024
Based on the limited information available, it’s possible that the fire may have originated from a faulty charging cable or adapter.
While several studies indicate that EVs are statistically less likely to catch fire compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicles, the real issue arises when they do ignite. When EVs catch fire, their battery packs can be notoriously difficult to extinguish.
Most firefighters receive specialized training for tackling EV fires, but the challenge lies in the fact that each battery cell ignites independently, resulting in a lengthy and complex extinguishing process. This is why some enclosed parking facilities have opted to ban electric cars altogether, as the consequences of a battery fire can be catastrophic.
Data from EV FireSafe suggest that 15 percent of EV fires occur while charging. More specifically, out of 490 verified EV car fires globally in the past 14 years, 78 were lined to a charger.
