A Tesla Model S electric car, touted as the safest car in America, caught fire on Tuesday, spurring new worries about the possible risks of lithium-ion batteries. In two recent incidents, involving Boeing’s new 787 plane and Chevrolet’s Volt hybrid car, fires have emanated from batteries of the same type.
Tesla spokeswoman Liz Jarvis-Shean said the fire was caused by a large metallic object hitting the battery pack, and pointed out that no one was injured. Company shares still dropped by more than 6 percent, following the appearance on the Internet of a video showing flames spewing out of the vehicle (mild profanity heard).
(MORE: Tesla Motors Pours Cold Data on New York Times ‘Model S’ Review)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIOGXcwYq1w]
[AP]