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CCTV footage captured the moment a Mercedes-Benz electric car exploded into flames while charging in Hengshui, China
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There were no reports of injuries, however, the car’s owner lodged a complaint with the manufacturer following the destruction of their four-month-old vehicle without receiving any compensation.
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This event has sparked renewed worries about the safety of electric vehicles, despite specialists emphasizing their benefits for both the environment and economy in the long run.
Nancy Odindo, a journalist from LinksToday.net.co.ke, boasts more than four years of expertise in reporting on Kenyan politics, current events, and feature stories across both digital and print platforms.
China
A CCTV recording from Hengshui, China, showed an alarming incident where a brand-new electric Mercedes-Benz caught fire while being charged on March 15 because of a problem with the battery.
The video captured on March 15 depicts heavy black smoke emanating from the stationary black hatchback prior to its explosion.
Based on the video provided by Yahoo, fire broke out under the car and rapidly spread throughout the vehicle.
The vehicle’s owner promptly reached out to the fire department, which reacted quickly and succeeded in putting out the fire. Luckily, nobody was hurt.
Subsequently, local fire authorities verified that the incident resulted from a thermal runaway within the car’s battery system—an occurrence where the battery heats up excessively, triggering a series of fires or explosions.
As per the reports, the car was just four months old at the time of the incident. The owner apparently lodged a complaint with the manufacturing company but claims they have not gotten any reply, reimbursement, or compensation so far.
Is there an increase in worries about the safety of electric vehicles?
This event has sparked renewed worries about the safety of electric vehicles (EVs), with particular attention on issues related to battery stability.
Although China dominates worldwide electric vehicle manufacturing due to abundant domestic supplies of rare earth minerals and significant control over key mining activities in Africa, concerns persist regarding the safety and dependability of these automobiles.
Despite a global push towards phasing out petrol and diesel cars, recent research reveals that many consumers, particularly in the UK, remain hesitant to adopt EVs.
Common concerns include high upfront costs, battery lifespan, limited driving range, and the availability of charging infrastructure.
What are the benefits of EVs?
Nevertheless, specialists point out that electric vehicles continue to provide several benefits.
The Alternative Fuels Data Center from the U.S. Department of Energy reports that these vehicles enhance fuel efficiency, decrease fuel expenses, cut down on emissions, and lead to a healthier ecosystem.
As manufacturing expands and battery tech improves, electric vehicles should see their prices become more on par with conventional cars powered by internal combustion engines.
Additionally, the report suggests that most electric vehicle manufacturers now provide extended battery warranties—usually covering about eight years or 100,000 miles—which reflects increasing assurance in battery longevity.
More to follow…
