A fire broke out in a parked Rivian R1T that left the battery-powered pickup destroyed. Per Carscoops, the cause remains to be established, but traction battery looks likely despite the manufacturer’s claims.
The EV stood close to a charging terminal at the time of incident. It is unknown whether it was plugged in, but the fire apparently started near the charging port – in front of the front left wheel, where the bumper meets the fender (watch the video for a clearer view).
No injuries were reported. Judging by the scope of damage, the car is a likely write-off. The manufacturer immediately responded saying the incident was acknowledged and an investigation was underway. When asked about the possible causes, the company rep doubted that the fire originated in the battery.
Traction battery units used in electric vehicles are sometimes prone to fire due to design defects or inconsistencies in the inner structures of their individual power cells. On the other hand, chargers and charging stations may also be unsafe. With the whole industry still at its budding stages, some defects may remain unresolved.