THIS is the shocking moment a Tesla malfunctions and falls into a lake – and then bursts into flames.
Footage shows a Tesla Model X burning while it is submerged underwater in Hollywood, Florida.
YouTubeThe Model X can be seen burning while it is submerged in a Florida lake[/caption]
The exact details of what caused the accident and the fire are not entirely clear but the electric car can clearly be seen on fire while underwater.
It was reported the Model X was backing either jet skis or a boat down the ramp at the Polk Street Boat Ramp on October 1 when something went horribly wrong.
The Hollywood Professional Firefighters’ Facebook page said the car “lost traction”.
Speculation has suggested the malfunction could have been caused by water getting into the vehicle or it may have struck some underwater object.
The Tesla’s engine could have been previously damaged, allowing water to get inside once the car had backed someway down the ramp.
The driver was unable to open the doors, so her husband, who had just set out on the water on a jet ski quickly turned back to help.
No one was injured in the accident.
Hollywood Fire Rescue left the car in the saltwater in order to contain the fire and prevent any possible injuries that might have arisen by attempting to pull the Tesla from the water.
Saltwater and electric cars are not a good mix as the water can cause lithium-ion batteries to combust.
As well, the minerals left behind after the battery packs dry out can spark fires days or weeks later.
Tesla’s boss Elon Musk has previously commented on X, previously known as Twitter, about how some makes have the ability to float for short periods of time.
In a June 2016 post he wrote on the site: “We *def* don’t recommended this, but Model S floats well enough to turn it into a boat for short periods of time. Thrust via wheel rotation.”
He has also made claims about the forthcoming Cybertruck, saying in a post in September last year: “Cybertruck will be waterproof enough to serve briefly as a boat, so it can cross rivers, lakes & even seas that aren’t too choppy.”
People though are strongly advised not to try this out for their own safety.
Despite this incident, Tesla has a strong safety record with its Model Y being awarded five stars by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) last year with the car achieving a record 98 per cent score in the Safety Assist category of the test.
In January this year What Car? handed its Safety Award to the Model Y.
Similarly, Euro NAP awarded the Model X a score of 94 per cent in its Safety Assist category in 2019.
Earlier this month, Auto Trader described the Model 3 as “one of the best EVs money can buy”.
The Sun Online has approached Tesla for comment.
YouTubeFortunately, no one was injured in the accident[/caption]