The EV fire in the Shanghai parking garage a few weeks ago appears to have inspired Tesla to take decisive action. This may be due to social media pressure. Alternatively, a database may have sent a signal from the mega factory. Whatever the case, the Tesla software changes could signal an end to the industry’s relentless onward, upward approach.
Did Consumer Aversion Lead to Tesla Software Changes?
“Battery combustion is a very serious incident for consumers, and it could lead to consumer aversion to electric vehicles.” So says Automotive Energy Supply Corp, whose batteries power about 430,000 Nissan Motor Co vehicles per e-mail to Gulf Times.
There’s good reason for their concern, because China absorbs half of the global electric car sales. If its citizens dim their enthusiasm, then the electric vehicle industry could sink into deep depression. We cannot afford anything preventing the move towards the green economy. Moreover, the NIO electric car that burned last month in the Xi’an workshop added more fuel to the fire.
National Fire Protection Association Advice on Fighting EV Fires
Tesla Reacts ‘Out of an Abundance of Caution’
Tesla is rolling out online software changes in response to the Shanghai incident. These include the Model S and a second unknown vehicle. The Tesla software changes will revise charge and thermal-management settings “out of an abundance of caution,” the company says.
However, it hastened to assure Gulf Times its products are “10 times less likely to experience a blaze than cars that run on combustion engines”. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration painted a different picture in 2017 when it said. “For EVs, the risk of fire or explosion is comparable or potentially slightly lower than for gas or diesel-fueled models.”
However it added: “Although risks may increase as makers push for high performance”. Rapid growth means the sector “will no doubt see increasing quality control issues with the supply chain,” says Simon Moores of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.
Related
Tesla Model S Explodes in Parking Garage
Why Only Some Car Batteries Catch Fire
Preview Image: AC Motor from Tesla Roadster
YouTube Share Link: https://youtu.be/hG0Vvv16mV4
