In an electrifying turn of events, an electric car suddenly erupted in flames on NH 53 in the Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh, prompting a hair-raising escape for its occupants. Amidst the growing popularity of electric vehicles, fueled by government incentives and a desire to cut down on pollution, this incident has sparked serious safety concerns.
The drama unfolded in a Fjord Blue Volvo C40 Recharge SUV, valued at a whopping Rs 63 lakh. As the vehicle blazed through the highway, little did its passengers know they were in for a literal hot ride. Saurabh Rathore, a Raipur resident, and his three friends were cruising from Raipur to Sarsiwa when their journey took a fiery turn near Jagdishpur under the Basna police station area.
In a scene reminiscent of an action movie, smoke began billowing from the car, leading to a quick and daring escape by the occupants. The electric SUV, a marvel of modern engineering with specs like 408 horsepower and a 530 km range, was reduced to ashes in moments. This incident raises eyebrows, especially considering Volvo’s ambitious vision that no one should be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo car by 2020.
The cause of the fire remains a mystery, but the quick thinking and swift action of the passengers averted what could have been a tragic outcome. This incident underscores the need for increased scrutiny and safety measures in electric vehicles, as the world accelerates towards an electrified future on the roads.
Update: Volvo Car India’s Official Statement-
Volvo Car India has been informed of a recent event where a C40 Recharge caught fire while being driven last Saturday. The vehicle’s built-in safety systems alerted the driver to safely park the car and exit. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and all passengers were unharmed. Our customer support team was immediately in contact to provide necessary safety instructions. At Volvo Cars, we hold the safety of our vehicles in the highest regard and are treating this matter with utmost seriousness. The vehicle in question will undergo a thorough examination by our technical specialists to determine the cause. We are maintaining ongoing communication with the customer to offer our full support.
