Supercharger Steam Mistaken for Smoke, Sparks Emergency Calls from Concerned Tesla Owners

This winter, first-time electric vehicle owners are in for a chilling surprise: mistaking steam for smoke.

This comes as some Tesla owners, perplexed by an alarming 'smoking' effect while supercharging, called 911 only to discover it was harmless steam (via Electrek).

It's Not Smoke, It's Steam

As winter arrived, many new Tesla owners encountered their first cold weather experience with their vehicles, unaware of a potential phenomenon arising from their heat pump-equipped cars.

The heat pumps, designed to enhance efficiency in colder climates, can inadvertently produce steam, a harmless byproduct that resembles smoke to the untrained eye.

Tesla's Clarification and Guidance

Tesla issued a statement cautioning owners about the possibility of steam formation in cold temperatures due to heat pumps.

The company advised users to discern between steam and smoke before contacting emergency services, highlighting that odorless steam might emerge from the front of the vehicle while charging at a Supercharger in frigid conditions, posing no threat.

"In extremely cold weather or icy conditions, it is possible that your charge port latch may freeze in place. Some vehicles are equipped with a charge port inlet heater that turns on when you turn on the rear defrost in cold weather conditions. You can also thaw ice on the charge port latch by enabling preconditioning using the mobile app. To prevent this from occurring, use the Schedule settings, available on both the charging and climate control screens, to set a departure time and enable preconditioning."

Real-Life Incidents

Instances emerged of Tesla owners mistaking steam for smoke, leading to emergency calls. One user took to social media, recounting an incident where their Tesla appeared to emit smoke while charging at a Supercharger, prompting a 911 call and dispatching police and fire departments.

Similar incidents were reported in the UK, where fire crews responded to a 'smoking' Tesla, only to discover it was steam caused by water on the batteries during full charge, further fueling the misunderstanding.

Emergency responders in the UK created a video explaining the distinction between Tesla cars producing steam and actual smoke.

The video highlighted the conditions under which ice on the condenser melts during battery pre-conditioning, leading to steam resembling smoke and emphasizing that steam is harmless despite the visual similarity.

Response Protocols

Fire safety agency EV Fire Safe shared insights into their response protocols, detailing how thermal imaging cameras were used to monitor the high voltage battery under the vehicle during a 'smoking' incident.

This measure provided vital information, indicating minimal heat and reassuring the situation wasn't a cause for alarm.

Understanding the Issue

The confusion between steam and smoke remains a genuine concern, particularly for new Tesla owners or those unfamiliar with the nuances of their vehicle's operation in colder climates. The emphasis on education and awareness becomes crucial in mitigating unnecessary emergency responses.

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