Tech
Tesla Semi Truck Fire in Accident
The fire resulting from the accident of the Tesla Semi truck posed serious dangers to drivers and the surrounding environment. Learn about the details of the incident, the damage caused by the fire, and safety measures.
Tesla Semi Truck Accident Causes Fire in California
Early last Monday morning, a Tesla Semi truck caught fire after crashing into trees along the I-80 highway in California. This tragic accident led to the highway being closed for nearly 16 hours. The incident occurred around 3:00 AM local time, and according to KCRA 3 News, California fire crews quickly responded to the scene.
As previously reported by Electrek, firefighters attempted to cool the Tesla Semi with thousands of liters of water to prevent lithium-ion EV batteries from igniting. The crews managed to bring the temperature of the batteries down to a manageable level of about 100 Fahrenheit (approximately 38 degrees Celsius). This process was crucial in preventing the fire from spreading.
After the fire was brought under control, the batteries were cooled to a safer temperature around 4:00 PM. Firefighters began preparations to transport the remaining parts of the truck to Tesla’s Gigafactory in Sparks, Nevada. The highway reopened to traffic after 7:00 PM.
The California Highway Patrol reported in an interview with KCRA 3 that the Semi driver was taken to the hospital. Authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the accident. Tesla typically uses these types of trucks to transport newly manufactured electric vehicle (EV) batteries from the Gigafactory to the car manufacturing facility in Fremont, California.
A notable detail is that the truck involved in the accident was not towing any trailer, which likely means that the fire originated from the Semi’s own batteries. This situation highlights the need for more attention to safety and battery management issues with electric vehicles.