share this article!

In this handout photo supplied to Reuters on July 2, 2021, Tesla Inc’s new Model S Plaid electric car is seen in flames in Pennsylvania, United States. The car caught fire as the owner was driving it on Tuesday, three days after it was delivered, according to an attorney for the driver. REUTERS/Geragos & Geragos/Handout (Reuters) – BERKELEY, Calif., July 1 (Reuters) – An attorney for the driver told Reuters that a Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) Model S Plaid electric vehicle erupted into flames on Tuesday while the owner was driving, only three days after the $129,900 top-of-the-range car was delivered following its June introduction. The driver, described as a “executive entrepreneur,” was initially unable to exit the vehicle due to a malfunctioning electronic door system, causing him to “use force to shove it open,” according to Mark Geragos of Geragos & Geragos. The car continued to move for another 35 to 40 feet (11 to 12 meters) before exploding in a residential area near the owner’s Pennsylvania house, turning into a “fireball.” “It was a terrifying and horrific event,” said Geragos. “This is a whole new model… We’re looking into it right now. We’re demanding for the S Plaid to be grounded and kept off the road until we figure out what’s going on “he stated When contacted by Reuters, Tesla did not respond immediately. At a launch event at Tesla’s plant in Fremont, California, last month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the performance version of the Model S car is “faster than any Porsche, safer than any Volvo.” find out more He stated the new Model S sedan and Model X sport utility vehicle got a fresh battery pack earlier in April. On a conference call, Musk addressed manufacturing delays by saying, “It took quite a bit of development to ensure that the battery of the new S/X is safe.” “Developing the updated version presented more challenges than anticipated.” In a now-deleted Facebook post, local fire officials stated that “a Tesla was on fire” and that they cooled “the batteries down to ensure total extinguishment.” “We are in contact with relevant agencies and the manufacturer to obtain information regarding the occurrence,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said. “If data or investigations reveal a fault or an inherent risk to public safety,” the federal safety agency stated, “NHTSA will take appropriate measures to protect the public.” Hyunjoo Jin and David Shepardson contributed reporting, while Christopher Cushing edited the piece. The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles are our standards./nRead More

share this article!