Just saw Rivian R1S burning on 101 Brokaw

[Nikhiluor]

Not sure what has happened but saw Rivian R1S burning on Brokaw exit of 101 in San Jose.

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[Mathme]

I saw the story on the news today. Looked like it was on a flatbed being towed. I looked for the story but couldn’t find it

 

[SJaYx2P]

It WASN’T on a flatbed. Two wheels were being dragged.

 

[ElGuano]

It WASN’T on a flatbed. Two wheels were being dragged.

A lot of times when I see an AWD vehicle being towed, the wheels on the ground are on dollies. Wonder if that wasn't the case here.

 

[SJaYx2P]

 

[mudito]

If that info is accurate....the tow truck driver is in deep s**t

 

[DeanB1452]

After seeing the footage on ABC7 News, there's one Rivian on the flatbed, all cut up, and another that was towed behind it. Both must have been headed to the dismantler/wrecker so looks like it wasn't someone's new R1S up in flames. No loss to anyone, but it sucks to see it go up in flames.

 

[mbb896]

"flames under control within a half hour" is impressive given all the stories I've seen of other EV's lighting up and batteries going through "Thermal Runaway" where the firefighters essentially need to wait for it all finish rather than try to extinguish.

 

[Riviot]

So THAT'S what happens if you try and flat tow...

 

[malditofman]

Incompetent towing in action. This isn't the exploding EV you're looking for. Move along. Move along.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Ooopsie

 

[NY_Rob]

Idiot tow truck driver! Know your job

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Idiot tow truck driver! Know your job

Especially in SJ where 25% of cars are EVs!

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Yeah assuming story is correct tow operator error.

 

[mpshizzle]

Ok so, am I missing something here?

I feel like towing improperly shouldn't cause A FIRE.

I can see it damaging the motor/inverter, but how does that cause it to catch fire??? That seems like a major design flaw if that's the case. These things are gonna get improperly towed all the time

I feel like a much more likely cause would be the fact that the battery was damaged in whatever wreck it was in before getting towed. (Or possibly the other wrecked vehicle being towed caught fire and it spread).

Maybe I'm off but improper towing causing it to go up in flames seems insane

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