While the recent fire incident, which took place in the New Jersey port, was thought to have been limited to the 16 Fisker Karmas which suffered important fire damage during the worst part of Superstorm Sandy, it seems that other ‘green’ cars suffered the same fate.
Apparently, a totally different event, involved three Toyota Prius models (one of which was the plug-in hybrid variant), which also sustained heavy fire damage, during the same flooding incident. The official statement by Toyota, regarding the news was: "One Prius out and out burned, the others just kind of smoldered and got really hot [. . .] the fire likely started because saltwater got into the electrical system [. . .] These were definitely extraordinary circumstances [. . .] Once the salt gets in there, it’s ready to do damage."
However, any car, regardless of whether it is a hybrid or not can catch fire if its electrical system is shorted, and perhaps the large battery pack found on these cars made the short all-the-more powerful.
Story via New York Times
However, any car, regardless of whether it is a hybrid or not can catch fire if its electrical system is shorted, and perhaps the large battery pack found on these cars made the short all-the-more powerful.
Story via New York Times