Authorities warn that flood-damaged electric vehicles can pose fire risks due to submerged batteries, urging owners to avoid driving until inspected by technicians.
Saltwater can short-circuit electric batteries, with the conductive nature causing batteries to connect positive and negative terminals, leading to potentially explosive thermal runaway.
Tesla advises not driving flooded cars until cleared by authorized facilities, indicating that flooded vehicles must be parked 50 feet away from structures to avoid fire hazards.
Tom Barth from the NTSB highlighted that while batteries are generally safe, exposure to standing saltwater can compromise seals and lead to dangerous situations.
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