Tesla Semi Fire Disrupts Traffic on I-80 in Placer County

Incident Details

An early morning incident on August 20, 2024, saw a Tesla Semi catch fire on the eastbound Interstate 80 in Placer County, near the Emigrant Gap area. The fire occurred around 3:16 a.m. and led to the highway being shut down for several hours due to hazardous conditions caused by toxic fumes from the burning vehicle.

Firefighting Efforts

Fire crews were promptly dispatched and employed water to try to extinguish the blaze. According to a California Highway Patrol (CHP) spokesman, the fumes in the area were hazardous to breathe. Firefighters worked to cool the lithium-ion battery pack to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit and allowed the battery cells to burn out while dousing them with water.

Investigation and Safety Concerns

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a safety investigation into the incident, focusing on the fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the possibility of driver fatigue as a cause of the crash. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.

Comparison to Other EV Fires

Although fires involving electric vehicles are statistically rare, this incident underscores the unique risks and challenges presented by lithium-ion battery fires. Electric vehicle fires can be particularly difficult to extinguish due to the nature of the batteries.

Tesla Semi Specifications

The Tesla Semi is notable for its substantial battery capacity, with the 500-mile range version estimated to have around 850-900 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of battery capacity. This is substantially larger than the batteries found in typical electric cars or crossover vehicles.

Conclusion

This incident highlights the complexities and hazards involved in dealing with electric vehicle fires, particularly those with large battery packs like the Tesla Semi.