In Chhattisgarh, an electric SUV, a Volvo C40 Recharge, caught fire on a highway. The real reason is yet unknown, and Volvo is looking into it right now. Volvo claims that the owner escaped safely thanks to the inbuilt safety measures that alerted the driver to pull over and get out of the vehicle.
The incident has once again raised awareness of EV safety, especially with regard to the problem with an electric vehicle’s battery, which is the primary component of the vehicle. A 78kWh battery pack that can reportedly go 530 kilometres on a single charge is included with the C40 Recharge. A lithium-ion battery pack fitted low within the chassis serves as the battery pack.
Investigations are ongoing, however, the battery pack may be the primary cause of the fire, though this is still up to interpretation. Overheating is the cause of EV fires. ‘Thermal Runaway’ is the main cause; batteries that store energy in the form of lithium ions inside battery cells have been known to short circuit and catch fire as a result of the cells’ rapid heating.
Overusing the brakes or driving the EV too quickly could also be the cause, as these actions generate heat. The precise cause will become clearer soon, but in the meantime, take notice of the fact that a Lithium Ion battery fire spreads swiftly and lasts longer in an automobile. Although battery packs have been protected by automakers, an EV fire raises concerns about their safety, but it should be noted that EV fires are considerably less common than those involving conventional vehicles.
Safety Features Haven’t Caused Any Injuries, Volvo Car India Says
Volvo Car India stated in a statement on Wednesday that the company has taken the event very seriously. “On Saturday, there was a reported incident where a C40 caught fire while being driven. The driver was alerted to pull over and exit the vehicle by the integrated safety systems. Every passenger was secure, and there were no injuries. Our Customer Care call centre was available online to advise customers on the necessary safety precautions. We at Volvo Cars take great pride in the safety features of our vehicles, and we are investigating this event thoroughly. Our technical experts will thoroughly inspect the aforementioned car to determine the problem. We continue to communicate with and assist the customer,” the statement said.
