Tesla’s Response to the August 19 Crash and Fire Involving a Tesla Semi

On August 19, a significant incident occurred involving a Tesla Semi. The truck was involved in a crash and subsequent fire, raising concerns about the safety of the vehicle. However, Tesla, which does not have a PR office, is still awaiting an update from Elon Musk, the company’s CEO, to address the situation.

Operational Details of the Tesla Semi

The Tesla Semi, a significant development in the trucking industry, is currently not publicly in the field. Majority of the Tesla Semis have been retained by Tesla itself and are primarily used for specific delivery routes, such as the route between Sparks, Nevada, and Fremont, California. This route spans approximately 240 miles along Interstate 80, serving the need to transport batteries from Nevada to Tesla's assembly lines in California, after which the trucks return with empty trailers.

Incident Details and Safety Measures

Notably, during this particular incident, the Tesla Semi was operating without a trailer, a condition that could have significantly affected its stability, especially at freeway speeds, as it navigates the climbs into Donner Pass. The truck veered off the roadway and struck tall pines as it went down an embankment. The crash occurred at about 3 AM and resulted in a 16-hour closure of the eastbound I-80.

One of the main safety concerns was the potential for the batteries to overheat and ignite. The truck’s batteries are powered by lithium cells, and any failure in these batteries could pose a risk of a fire with potentially severe consequences. Firefighters had to direct thousands of gallons of water onto the wreckage to prevent a more significant fire outbreak. The truck's plastic cab was mostly burned away, leaving the frame and battery boxes intact, which continued to release white clouds of steam.

Investigation and Tesla’s Knowledge of the Incident

Given that Tesla vehicles have self-diagnostics capabilities and can relay data in real time through satellite communication, it’s highly likely that the company was aware of the faults and data from the vehicle prior to the incident. The crash was also equipped with an always-on audio link to the dispatch office, and possibly IP cameras were installed to monitor the cab environment. This detail suggests that Tesla has a robust monitoring system in place for its fleet vehicles.

The investigation of the crash is primarily under the purview of the California Highway Patrol Collision Investigation Unit (CHPU CIU). It is possible that the CHP CIU will provide the only official update on this incident. In the meantime, Elon Musk has not rushed to address public concerns about the safety of Tesla Semis, which could be interpreted as a lack of immediate reassurance.

The incident raises important questions about the safety of Tesla Semis and the company’s response mechanisms in such critical situations. While Tesla has a strong record in terms of vehicle safety overall, incidents like this highlight the need for transparency and timely responses to address public concerns.

Regardless of the official stance, it is crucial for Tesla to maintain open and honest lines of communication with the public and regulatory bodies to demonstrate its commitment to safety and transparency.