Tesla Semi Truck Engulfed in Flames Following Highway Crash

It was a sight to behold as a Tesla Semi truck turned into a blazing spectacle on a Californian highway. The electric vehicle (EV) battery ignited, resulting in a fire that not only consumed the truck but also released toxic fumes into the atmosphere.

The incident unfolded on the I-80 highway, heading eastbound, when the electric truck lost control and crashed into trees. The incident occurred just after 3 am on August 19, as confirmed by the California Highway Patrol.

Burning Questions: The Aftermath of the Tesla Semi Crash

The Los Angeles Times reported that the EV battery fire raged into the late afternoon, prompting authorities to shut down the highway in both directions. The blaze was so intense that it reportedly burned at temperatures exceeding 500 degrees Celsius, emitting toxic fumes.

While Tesla is famously tight-lipped about complete vehicle specifications, it’s known that the Semi is powered by a lithium-ion battery with a staggering capacity of around 900kWh. To put this into perspective, it’s over ten times the size of the battery used in the Model Y Long Range.

Highway Cleanup: A Herculean Task

Following the fiery spectacle, a substantial cleanup operation ensued before the highway could reopen. More than 16 hours passed from the time of the incident to the eventual reopening of the thoroughfare.

This incident marks the first of its kind involving a Tesla Semi, which only entered production in late 2022. The rollout of the Semi has been fraught with challenges, including long wait times for corporate customers.

Tesla Semi: A Closer Look

The Semi itself is an impressive machine, powered by a trio of electric motors and boasting a claimed range of 805km. It’s also reputedly capable of maintaining highway speeds even on a five percent incline. Thanks to its fast-charging capability, the Semi can reach 70 percent charge from empty in just 30 minutes.

Conclusion

Despite this unfortunate incident, the Tesla Semi remains a testament to the potential of electric vehicles in the freight industry. As investigations into the crash continue, we look forward to more developments in the exciting world of electric trucking.