(FOX40.COM) — As electric vehicles become a common sight on America’s roadways, what does Tesla, the nation’s leading EV manufacturer, suggest if one of their vehicles catches fire?
On Monday, a Tesla Semi-truck traveling through the Sierra Nevada along Interstate 80 caught fire and forced a nearly 16-hour-long closure of the interstate.
First responders closed the freeway as they feared drivers passing the burning EV could inhale toxic fumes coming from the burning batteries.
While ground crews doused the truck with thousands of gallons of water, CAL FIRE deployed to drop fire retardants around the truck to keep the fire from spreading into the surrounding forest.
Roseville firefighters tackle back-to-back house fires
Tesla has a webpage titled “First Responders Information” that offers information on all of the vehicles, chargers, residential energy supplies and industrial energy supplies in the case of an emergency.
Under the Tesla Semi section of the “First Responders Information” sheet, there is information on how to access the occupants, towing and what to do in the case of a fire.
In red Tesla notes “do not submerge vehicle to extinguish/cool battery fire” and there is a possibility of re-ignition.
Tesla’s firefighting suggestion is to “use large amounts of water to cool the battery enclosure” and continue to monitor the high-voltage battery temperatures for at least 24 hours after extinguishing the fire.
Under towing and storing, Tesla recommends that any vehicle that experienced a fire be stored at least 50 feet from other vehicles and structures due to the possibility of reignitions.
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Source Agencies
