The National Transportation Safety Board says California firefighters had to douse a flaming battery in a Tesla Semi with about 50,000 gallons of water to put out flames after a crash.

California firefighters had to douse a flaming battery in a Tesla Semi with about 50,000 gallons (190,000 liters) of water to extinguish flames after a crash, the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday.

In addition to the huge amount of water, firefighters used an aircraft to drop fire retardant on the “immediate area” of the electric truck as a precautionary measure, the agency said in a preliminary report.

Firefighters said previously that the battery reached temperatures of 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (540 Celsius) while it was in flames.

The NTSB sent investigators to the Aug. 19 crash along Interstate 80 near Emigrant Gap, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) northeast of Sacramento. The agency said it would look into fire risks posed by the truck’s large lithium-ion battery.

    • superkret
      17·
      2 months ago

      Currently, water is still the best option, when you have access to enough of it.
      But I’m sure they’re all ears for your better solutions.

        • C126@sh.itjust.works
          11·
          2 months ago

          I don’t understand. Water is mentioned as a valid extinguishing means in the paper you linked, what’s your argument?

        • superkret
          111·
          2 months ago

          Sorry but that link is just general guidance (it mentions sprinkler systems) and doesn’t apply to outdoor environments, where groundwater contamination is an issue, and especially highways, where any extinguishing infrastructure must be mobile and quick cleanup is a major priority, very well.