Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Caribbeans

(975 posts)
Tue Aug 6, 2024, 05:52 PM Aug 2024

Mercedes EQE's Catastrophic Fire In Underground Garage: What We Know



Mercedes EQE's Catastrophic Fire In Underground Garage: What We Know

The EV was parked in a Korean parking garage for three days before it spontaneously burst into flames, and wasn't charging at the time.

Inside EV's | Andrei Nedelea | Aug 6, 2024

Even though, statistically, electric vehicles are less likely to catch fire than cars with a combustion engine. But when they do go up in flames, they can cause a lot more damage. This Mercedes-Benz EQE started showing white smoke and went ablaze seconds later in an underground parking lot in an apartment complex in the city of Incheon, which is about 20 miles west of Seoul, South Korea.

The EQE fire caused damage to some 140 cars (of which 70 had more significant damage) that were parked on the same floor, and 23 people who lived in the building above were hospitalized for smoke inhalation. According to Korea JoongAng Daily, a total of 103 people were initially evacuated from the nearby buildings after they started filling up with black smoke.

The fire was so strong that it affected the electricity grid not only in the building where it happened but for the entire building complex. Later reports said that almost 500 households were without power and water for five days after the incident.

Mercedes-Benz Korea made an initial statement, saying “We can't confirm details about the exact model and batteries at the moment” and “We are taking this very seriously and will do our best to collaborate with fire authorities to determine the exact cause.” The specific Mercedes EQE variant that caught fire has not yet been determined; it could even be the AMG model...more
https://insideevs.com/news/729196/mercedes-eqe-korea-fire-underground/



~70 kWh is A LOT OF ENERGY

Batteries everywhere? Really? Of course if you own stock in battery companies the answer is "ABSOLUTELY" - you might just strike it rich.
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Mercedes EQE's Catastrophic Fire In Underground Garage: What We Know (Original Post) Caribbeans Aug 2024 OP
EV fires are around 11x less likely than ICE fires. Voltaire2 Aug 2024 #1
There is an alternative that TPTB don't want to talk about Caribbeans Aug 2024 #2
I'm assuming the first H2 car... regnaD kciN Aug 2024 #3
I have driven and driven in four different Hydrogen cars... CoopersDad Aug 2024 #4
This. Voltaire2 Aug 2024 #5
+1 public transit and walkable communities. CoopersDad Aug 2024 #6

Voltaire2

(14,701 posts)
1. EV fires are around 11x less likely than ICE fires.
Tue Aug 6, 2024, 06:00 PM
Aug 2024

They can be difficult to put out and fire departments have to understand how to handle them.
The fossil fuel industry would like you to continue buying ICE vehicles so they push this bullshit out on a regular basis.

Caribbeans

(975 posts)
2. There is an alternative that TPTB don't want to talk about
Tue Aug 6, 2024, 06:08 PM
Aug 2024
because the US doesn't like H2 for cars - at least yet. Just wait until more of these EV batteries are no longer fit for purpose and mountains of them start to pile up.



Right now China is working daily to become the global leader in hydrogen.

It's like a replay of how they came to dominate the solar energy industry.

Lead, Follow or GTF out of the way.

CoopersDad

(2,864 posts)
4. I have driven and driven in four different Hydrogen cars...
Tue Aug 6, 2024, 09:08 PM
Aug 2024

A Mercedes, a Toyota, a Hundai, and a Honda.

They're basically EVs with a Hydrogen tank and fuel cell to keep the smaller battery capable of running the motors.

I own an EV, however, because it's so simple to just charge at home and the maintenance is practically zip.

Ask me anything!

Voltaire2

(14,701 posts)
5. This.
Wed Aug 7, 2024, 08:15 AM
Aug 2024

If you can charge at home an ev is just vastly superior to any other fuel system.

Of course the best way forward is affordable ubiquitous public transportation. But we are hopelessly far from doing that.

CoopersDad

(2,864 posts)
6. +1 public transit and walkable communities.
Wed Aug 7, 2024, 08:50 AM
Aug 2024

I'm in California, we've created entire regions that require automobile ownership or dependency.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Environment & Energy»Mercedes EQE's Catastroph...