Flooded Teslas are catching fire in Hurricane Ian's wake

Firefighters across the country have had to revise their vehicle fire protocols as more EVs hit the streets. Lithium-ion battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish using traditional fire hoses, and many fires take thousands of gallons of water to put out. Burning Teslas get all the attention, but all brands are susceptible. However, Tesla is getting more attention this week: Reports of multiple fires are popping up as floodwaters from Hurricane Ian recede.

NewsNation reported that at least four Teslas had caught fire in the past week. Saltwater and lithium-ion batteries do not mix, as the salt corrodes and can damage sensitive components within the battery or surrounding architecture. Once a fire starts, it’s exceedingly difficult to extinguish because of the extreme heat. And then there's the potential for battery packs to reignite even days after the initial fire.