Incident Overview
On a recent afternoon at 14:10, local rescue teams and firefighters in Thailand responded to a fire incident involving a BYD Atto 3 electric vehicle. The incident occurred near a Big C supermarket in the outskirts of Sakon Nakhon. Firefighters from Sawang Metta Tham, along with local municipal water trucks, promptly arrived at the scene to control the situation.
Cause of the Incident
The specific cause of the incident remains uncertain, although initial findings suggest it might be related to a short circuit inside the hood. Importantly, authorities confirmed that the fire did not originate from the high-voltage (HV) battery responsible for powering the vehicle. No injuries were reported in the incident.
First of Its Kind
This is the first reported incident involving a fire while charging at a DC Fast charge station in Thailand. It raises questions regarding the safety and reliability of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure in the country.
Smoke, Not Fire
Although initially reported as a fire, the situation largely involved the emission of large volumes of smoke. Upon investigation, authorities found that the smoke was primarily emanating from the 12-volt low-voltage battery located under the car’s hood. There was minor damage to the car’s engine bay, but it was quickly contained by the firefighters.
BYD’s Response
A team of engineers from BYD rushed to the site to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. As of now, no official report or findings have been released by BYD Thailand.
Context: The Rise of BYD Atto 3 in Thailand
The incident is particularly noteworthy given that the BYD Atto 3 is currently the best-selling car in Thailand for the years 2022 and 2023. As of March 20, 2023, BYD has sold 12,000 Atto 3 vehicles in Thailand, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s transition from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). Rever, the distributor of BYD in Thailand, aims to sell an accumulated total of 50,000 cars by the end of this year.
Conclusion
While electric vehicles are generally considered safe and have been rapidly adopted in Thailand, incidents like this remind us that new technologies are not without their challenges. It remains to be seen whether this is an isolated case or if it will lead to a more in-depth investigation into the safety of electric vehicles, particularly the BYD Atto 3. All eyes are now on BYD Thailand as the public awaits its official findings and response to the incident.
For now, it serves as a cautionary tale for the electric vehicle industry in Thailand, as it continues to grapple with the complexities and challenges of transitioning from fossil fuel vehicles to more sustainable alternatives.
