50,000 Gallons of Water Needed to Extinguish Tesla Semi Fire on I-80

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported on September 13 that a fire involving a Tesla semi truck, which occurred after a crash on August 19 on I-80 in Placer County, California, required approximately 50,000 gallons of water to extinguish.

The Tesla semi was journeying from Livermore, California, towards the Tesla facility in Sparks, Nevada, when it crashed and subsequently caught fire. The incident resulted in the closure of both eastbound and westbound lanes of I-80 for more than 14 hours, causing significant traffic disruptions.

In a statement, the NTSB detailed that emergency responders diverted traffic to manage the situation effectively. They utilized about 50,000 gallons of water to put out the flames and cool the vehicle’s high-voltage battery. Air quality assessments were undertaken, along with the use of thermal scanning equipment to keep track of the temperature of the batteries. CAL FIRE even deployed an aircraft to spread fire retardants in the area as an extra safety measure.

The NTSB is actively investigating the crash to determine its cause. According to initial findings, the battery-powered 2024 Tesla semi veered off the road while navigating a right-hand curve going uphill and collided with a tree in a single-vehicle incident.

The NTSB’s statement also noted that the vehicle’s lithium-ion electric battery system ignited following the crash, leading to the fire. Fortunately, the driver was not injured in the incident.

Responding agencies included the California Highway Patrol, CAL FIRE, and the California Department of Transportation, all of whom assisted in managing the scene and addressing the fire.

It was highlighted by the NTSB that although the Tesla semi was equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), these systems were not operational at the time of the crash and could not be engaged.

As the investigation continues, more details about the cause of the crash and the response efforts will undoubtedly emerge, shedding light on this significant incident involving the electric vehicle.