First Fire in a Tesla
JLocke
Posts: 354
Saw this article about the first recorded instance of a fire in a Tesla electric vehicle. Although it sounds like the fire was caused by running over something which then punctured the battery compartment.
[h=1]First fire in a Tesla Model S burns $600 million off the company's value[/h]
[h=1]First fire in a Tesla Model S burns $600 million off the company's value[/h]
Comments
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Kidding aside, if Tesla uses Li2PO4 chemistry, fire is not suppose to be a big hazard as it won't spread much. (but it seems some Florine gas might be involved from the electrolye).
On the other hand, one gallon of gasoline is equal to four sticks of dynamite if the fuel to air ratio is right.
The funny thing about it, is that when the fire began the fire dept. couldn't put it out, the more water they sprayed the worse it got. Kinda like the Fiskers that burst into flames while underwater during Hurricane Sandy. That was a hoot to see these supposedly high tech vehicles designed by geniuses self-immolate after contact with water.
What's scary is that a little road debris can turn the Tesla into a roman candle quite rapidly. If the engineers have any brainsthey'll put some sort of shield on the bottom to protect those highly flammable batteries.
I don't know if you have noticed but cars have had their gas tanks inches above the road waiting to be punctured and possibly ignited by road debris since the beginning of automobiles. Nobody was protecting them with thick steel plates.
It was "road debris" that finally put an end to the Concorde in a big fireball after 30 years or so.
Before we jump to any conclusions, we might want to know how many road miles have been covered by Tesla's and how their rate of going on fire compares to normal gasoline powered cars. Of course these are early days so statistics are not so meaningful yet.
Anyway, in my mind Teslas are a stupid idea for many other reasons.
http://www.nfpa.org/research/statistical-reports/vehicles/vehicle-fire-trends-and-patterns
In 2003-2007, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 287,000 vehicle fires per year. These fires caused an average of 480 civilian deaths, 1,525 civilian injuries, and $1.3 billion in direct property damage annually.
Those who condemn electric cars remind me of those short sighted ignorant people who said gas powered vehicles would never replace their horse drawn vehicles.
Technology does not advance without trying, failing and finally succeeding.
When one considers millions of families are driving around in a potential firebomb at any one time with roads declining in maintainance daily, it is surprising that there are not more flaming disasters.
Any concern I would have is with high current high voltage...if in an accident the electric system would hopefully shut down so victums/first responders were not in danger.
Sound familar?
Years ago I remember watching a senior executive PRESSURE an engineer for a deadline on a very expensive project that was running late... a drop dead deadline where the program would be cancelled if not met...and hundreds of jobs including the engineer's job would be lost.
The engineer's one and only response..."It will be done when it is done."
One very brave and honest man....
This, to the best of my knowledge, has not readily happened or occurred in any model of Tesla vehicles. The over-hype of this incident affecting Tesla stock doesn't make much sense to me. Toyota had several million cars recalled and so did many other companies, however, their stock dropped because the incident affected, well, MILLIONS of cars. This is an isolated, single, and rare occurrence. There's a bad apple in every bunch, so to think the cars would be perfect is just illogical. However investors backing out over one small incident that had no casualties or fatalities is just ludicrous.
Ever hear of someone having more money than sense?
Most investors know nothing of the technology...just they want to be first in to reap the monetary benefits if it succeeds.
Almost every cabs in Brazil does actually use Natural Vehicular Gas, sold in our country as GNV (G
I worked for a company that was running about 60 semis for a year excavating an expansion to the Moscone Center. They were on San Francisco's freeway 8-5 weekdays and our dispatcher would get a call to contact 911 about once a week of a passenger car on fire, with occupants still inside.
You may think this is a big deal for Tesla, but car fires are in the thousands per year in the USA.... and most cars don't tell you to pull over and get out now.
considering I pay less for my power costs for a year then most do for there insurance every month ....
I laugh at the money I have saved .......
TESLA as a car is a Joke ...
One reason ...
round peg.... square hole . .... the tesla needs a adapter to use SAE chargers ..
remember the cellphone charger issues on the 90s and 2000s . most of them were 5V ..... diff plug .
I need to give a EE high-five . to the LEAF ....... both plugs 1/2 and 3 are all on there ....
Or you could just be a real man and buy a motorcycle.
how about you don't judge others !
Hey buddy .. I am disabled ,.... I cant get a license ....
and guess what I have Reall messed up knees .....
I have at 2 knee operations to barely walk with less pain ..
Il never Bike again else Illl risk destroying my knees ( Do YOU what to have a 3rd knee-job!?)
I had 3 options
be a lump on a log and have the Gov pay for my disibiltys ..
Or get a hoverround ..
or a Segway ..
I REFUSE to sit on on my rear in a chair and drive a joystic while I can at the vvery least stand OK still .;
I dare you you to not have working knees for 3+ years and see what you would choose !
thank you for understanding !
PS
As of right now I can only walk ..... and its very painful .....
_____________
Now back to the Tesla ... frankly I am very amazed how under educated the media is on this stuff .
franky the batt from what I have heard Really slowed down the FOD that hit the car ...
Heck IFIRC t the US army did a test with a BFC ( Big freeking cap ) and 2 plates of armor to vaporize a incoming shell in to a tank ...... the round would short the cap and just like a screwdriver on a large cap ..... become a gas .
Well that joke quickly went downhill now didn't it! Apologies.
I think what you need, or rather all of us need, is a hovercraft. Better yet, jet packs. Here's to you Science.
what I need is more PT and time ........ recovery can take years ........ ..
what I may do is Try to pass my test again and then just buy a THiNK City .... then do some aftermarket mods to it .... Hehe LiFePO4.. AC Drive train
install a honking huge quick charger . some how push 60 kW in to it and vonlll! in town tesla for cheap
Honestly the skateboard/surfboard from Tron is the perfect thing to get. It's like a Segway but much more badass. Not to mention it's from Tron. So that helps.