A 53-year-old woman narrowly escaped injury after her BYD Electric Vehicle (EV) caught fire while charging at a station in Hong Kong on Thursday night. The incident, believed to be triggered by a short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical wires, prompted calls from experts for better education on Electric Vehicle safety risks among car owners.
The woman was inside the vehicle when the fire broke out, leading to concerns about the potential dangers associated with EV charging. Although no casualties were reported, images from the scene depict the charred bonnet and damaged tire of the BYD car, with the charging cable still connected.
According to Professor Eric Cheng from Polytechnic University, the fire was likely caused by a short circuit in the EV’s electrical wiring. The woman reportedly heard a loud bang, resembling an explosion, approximately 15 minutes before the incident, prompting her to swiftly exit the vehicle and call the police for assistance.
In light of the incident, authorities are being urged to enhance education initiatives aimed at informing car owners about the safety risks associated with Electric Vehicles.
The need for increased awareness and understanding of potential hazards during EV charging processes is underscored by this incident, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to ensure user safety.
