Latest NTSB Update on the August Tesla Semi Fire on I-80

NTSB Releases New Details on Tesla Semi Fire Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has provided new information on the August 19, 2024, Tesla Semi crash on Interstate 80 near Emigrant Gap, California. The crash caused the truck’s battery to catch fire, leading to road closures and concerns about electric truck safety. The NTSB continues to investigate to find the cause and to make safety recommendations.

Latest NTSB Findings on the Tesla Semi Fire

The Tesla Semi, driven by a Tesla employee, was headed from Livermore, California, to a Tesla facility in Sparks, Nevada, when it left the road on a curve. It hit a traffic post and trees before coming to a stop down a slope. The driver was not hurt, but the truck’s lithium-ion battery system caught fire.

The NTSB confirmed that the truck’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) were not working at the time of the crash. Investigators are looking into whether these systems could have helped prevent the crash.

Tesla Semi Fire Response and Battery Concerns

The battery fire that followed the crash presented serious challenges for responders. The NTSB report says that 50,000 gallons of water were needed to put out the fire and cool the batteries. CAL FIRE also dropped fire retardant from the air to prevent the fire from spreading into the forest.

Both directions of I-80 were closed for over 14 hours as crews worked to ensure the fire was completely out and the batteries were safe to move. Afterward, the truck was taken to an open area where it was monitored for 24 hours to make sure the battery did not reignite.

This incident highlights the risks of lithium-ion batteries in electric trucks. These batteries can be difficult to handle when damaged and can lead to “thermal runaway,” a situation where the battery overheats and catches fire. The NTSB is looking at how to improve response methods to prevent these types of fires from becoming worse.

Safety Recommendations Expected

The NTSB is working with several agencies, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and Tesla, Inc., to investigate the crash. They are focused on finding the cause of the accident and issuing safety recommendations to help prevent future incidents.

The NTSB will likely look at how electric truck batteries behave in crashes and suggest ways to better manage fires caused by these batteries. They may also explore improvements to the ADAS and other systems to prevent similar crashes on roads with tricky curves and grades.

What’s Next

The NTSB will release a final report after completing their investigation. This report will include safety recommendations for electric trucks, particularly for the Tesla Semi, as more electric trucks take to the road.

The Tesla Semi crash near Emigrant Gap is a reminder of the challenges that come with new technology. Electric trucks offer many benefits, but incidents like this highlight the need for improved safety measures. The NTSB’s investigation will play a key role in helping to make electric trucks safer for everyone on the road.