EV Prototype Caught Fire At Chrysler Tech Center, Last Month

A recent fire incident at the Chrysler Tech Center (CTC) in Auburn Hills, Michigan, involving an electric vehicle (EV) prototype has been reported. According to information from both the Auburn Hills Fire Department (AHFD) and Crain’s Detroit Business, the fire occurred at the first-floor testing center of the 5.4 million sq.-ft. facility on November 19th.

Upon arrival, fire personnel found a working vehicle on fire in a storage area on the first floor of the testing center. According to the AHFD monthly dashboard, a fire suppression system contained the fire, and the crew extinguished the remaining fire with water and dry chemical extinguishers. The fire department, along with building and security personnel, worked to clear the smoke and remove the vehicle from the building. AHFD received assistance from the Rochester and Rochester Hills Fire Departments for the fire and EMS backup coverage.

According to an incident report from the AHFD, the vehicle was parked on a lift, requiring staff and firefighters to remove it from the building using a forklift.

The report detailed the situation: “Crews made their way to the vehicle and found it with active fire underneath the vehicle and under the hood.” Although the precise cause remains uncertain, workers present during the incident suggested that the vehicle had encountered some form of coolant issue.

Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, acknowledged the incident, with spokeswoman Jodi Tinson expressing gratitude for the timely response of the AHFD. “There were no injuries. The physical damage was confined to a single test mule, while part of an interior space used for vehicle development sustained smoke damage,” stated Tinson to Crain’s Detroit Business.

Notably, this isn’t the only recent fire incident involving an EV at a Big-3 automaker facility in the Detroit area. General Motors’ Factory Zero in Hamtramck, Michigan, where the GMC Hummer EV pickup, Hummer EV SUV, and Chevrolet Silverado EV are manufactured, also faced production disruptions due to a fire outbreak. GM is actively investigating the situation, with initial reports suggesting that a forklift punctured a container holding battery materials, according to a company spokesperson cited by Automotive News.

These incidents shed light on the concerns raised by experts regarding the potential hazards associated with EV batteries. For years, warnings have persisted due to the weight and volatile chemistry of lithium-ion batteries used in these vehicles.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) highlighted the risks posed by fires in EVs powered by high-voltage lithium-ion batteries. “Fires in electric vehicles… pose the risk of electric shock to emergency responders from exposure to the high-voltage components of a damaged lithium-ion battery,” noted an NTSB report. “A further risk is that damaged cells in the battery can experience uncontrolled increases in temperature and pressure (thermal runaway), which can lead to hazards such as battery reignition/fire.”

These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges and safety considerations inherent in the development and production of EVs.