TWC Podcast #185: What’s on Fire Now?
By Phil Royle — Aug. 22, 2024
This week, EVs are on fire — and not in a good way. Between a Tesla Semi burning to the ground on the freeway and a Mercedes EV ablaze in a South Korean apartment parking structure, we take a look at what these particular EV fires mean, how they could have been prevented, and whether the South Korean government’s reaction is justified. Also, Rimac unveils a 2,107 hp supercar, Acura might release an NSX EV, Tesla reveals the pricing for its Cybertruck range extender, and more!
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SHOW NOTES
Limited edition Rimac Nevera R with 2,107 hp unveiled: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a61888112/2025-rimac-nevera-r-revealed/
Mate Rimac reveals Rimac is working on a single seat, track-only car to debut this year and hit tracks next year: https://www.motor1.com/news/730478/rimac-single-seat-track-only-hypercar-confirmed/
Acura executive VP says an “NSX-like” EV sports car is coming in 2027 or ‘28: https://electrek.co/2024/08/17/acura-confirms-nsx-like-ev-sportscar-for-production-in-27-28/
Hyundai reportedly tears down a Cybertruck at its engineering headquarters in Namyang, South Korea, in preparation for launching a full-size EV truck in North America: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/hyundai-eyes-the-us-truck-market-tears-down-a-tesla-cybertruck-for-education-purposes-238422.html
Tesla Cybertruck range-extending battery pack costs $16,000: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a61887155/tesla-cybertruck-range-extender-pricing/
Tesla claims 22 mile Cybertruck range boost with wheel/tire change: https://www.theautopian.com/tesla-managed-to-add-22-miles-of-range-to-the-cybertruck-with-one-small-change/
Tesla Semi battery fire shuts down I-80 in Northern California in both directions: https://www.kcra.com/article/placer-county-big-rig-fire-crash-interstate-80-emigrant-gap/61912862
South Korean EV battery fire fallout: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/south-korea-holds-emergency-meeting-ev-fires-stir-consumer-fear-2024-08-12/
Hyundai Group shows new battery management system (BMS) integrating telematics, text message alerts: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2024/08/129_380650.html
VW technical development chief Kai Grünitz say new GTI EV will be a “real go kart” to drive: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/vw%E2%80%99s-first-electric-gti-focus-go-kart-fun-and-drivability
Tesla offers cloth interior option on Model 3 in Mexico: https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-textile-interior-model-3-rwd-mexico/
This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Tesla
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
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