#152 - Tesla Parked at Nova Offices

We noticed a Tesla parked outside our offices recently. This was just a few days after news of a Tesla car fire was making the rounds in the USA.

The driver in the news story apparently ran over a trailer hitch and punctured the protective casing around the battery. The car’s dashboard display gave him a couple of text warnings. The driver’s comments were as follows:

About 30-45 seconds later, there was a warning on the dashboard display saying, 'Car needs service. Car may not restart.' I continued to drive, hoping to get home. About one minute later, the message on the dashboard display read, 'Please pull over safely. Car is shutting down.'

Shortly after the driver exited the car, the fire started. An CNet account of the incident can found here. 

This is apparently the third Tesla car fire. No doubt, some people will begin questioning the safety of this type of car. But it will be a long time before any direct co-relation can be made. Especially when U.S. fire departments respond to an estimated average of 152,300 automobile fires per year. Clearly there can be safety concerns with vehicles powered by combustible fuels such as gasoline and diesel. Because the Tesla is a new car bearing a newer concept, it will have to withstand scrutiny from critical audiences for some time.

However, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Tesla a 5-star safety rating. The driver mentioned above is convinced that the design of the Tesla may have saved him from serious injury. He says he would not hesitate to buy another Tesla.

http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/vehicles

Car fire pic credit: tommolog/TeslaMotorsClub Screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET

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