Unplugged electric car likely cause of building fire in San Francisco
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that an early morning fire at a cafe and gift shop was probably caused by an unplugged GEM neighborhood electric vehicle. The GEM is owned by the National Park Service and apparently caught fire next to a popular coffee shop at Crissy Field. The local NBC affiliate has video of the scene. The Chronicle also says it was the second time a GEM has caught fire at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. A year ago a vehicle that was plugged in caught fire on Alcatraz Island. DaimlerChrysler, which owns GEM, will work with park officials to investigate the blaze.[Source: Chuck Squatriglia/San Francisco Chronicle]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 3:10PM (1/28/2007)
This is why GM says the batteries for E-Flex aren’t' quite there yet. A123, Altairnano and other nanotech L-ion batteries will be safe because their design and chemistry doesn’t DEPEND on complex controllers which can and will fail to manage thermal runaway. The result of such failure is deadly! Measure twice, cut once! There is no room for failure.
Reply