Tesla Model S Plaid Bursts Into Flames Weeks After Launch, Electronic Doors Fail to Open

Isabella James, Tech Times 02 July 2021, 02:07 am

Tesla Model S Plaid was launched just last month during a delivery event hosted by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Weeks later, one of its stocks that was already being used spontaneously erupted into flames while it was being driven down a road in Philadelphia.

According to Business Insider, two crews for firefighters had to work on the flaming Tesla before the fire was put out. The driver, who is also the owner of the car, was able to escape the blaze.

Tesla Model S Plaid Bursts Into Flames: What Happened

The Tesla Model S Plaid was being driven by the owner of the car in Philadelphia when the incident took place last Tuesday. The driver first noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. It was then followed by fire.

The owner found himself briefly trapped in the burning vehicle after its electronic doors failed to open, but eventually managed to escape, according to Mark Geragos, the lawyer of the owner.

"He was able to get out of the door somehow. And the car, shortly after he got out, turned into a fireball," said Geragos.

Per the same report, the Gladwyne Volunteer Fire Company detailed the incident on its Facebook page, but the post has since been deleted. According to The Washington Post, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be looking into the incident.

Tesla Model S Plaid: What It Is

(Photo : Tesla)
Tesla Model S Plaid

The fiery incident happened just weeks after a delivery event for the Tesla Model S Plaid was held last June 10 in Fremont, California. The model, which the Business Insider described as Tesla's "fastest and most expensive car yet," was also hailed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk as the fastest production electric vehicle (EV) in the company.

According to its product page on the Tesla Website, the model is described as the "highest performing sedan ever built." It has a peak power of 1,020hp and a top speed of 200 mph. The model is so fast that it can go from zero to 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds.

The Tesla Model S Plaid was also recently hailed as the fastest car in the Pikes Peak Exhibition.

The model is not without its share of delays. In May, it was announced that the launch date for the electric vehicle was delayed due to a battery safety concern.

Other Incidents of Tesla Cars Bursting Into Flames

Last Tuesday's incident in Philadelphia isn't the only incident involving a Tesla vehicle bursting into flames that has been reported in recent years.

In January 2016, a Tesla Model S caught fire while supercharging at a station in Norway. Three years later, another Tesla Model S began emitting smoke while in a parking lot in Shanghai before it exploded.

Also Read: Tesla Model S Emits Smoke Then Explodes In Shanghai

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Written by Isabella James